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Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust

Annual Giving
$16.0M
Grant Range
$75K - $0.2M

Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $16 million+ (cumulative: 148 grants since inception)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $75,000 - $200,000 (depending on program)
  • Geographic Focus: Puerto Rico

Contact Details

Website: https://prsciencetrust.org

Phone: (787) 523-1004

Address: 105 Carr. #21, Km. 0.8 Bo. Monacillo, San Juan, PR 00927

Grants Team Email: grants@prsciencetrust.org

SBIR/STTR Program Email: sbir@prsciencetrust.org

Overview

The Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust (PRSTRT) is a nonprofit organization established in 2004 with the mission to invest in, facilitate, and build capacity to continually advance Puerto Rico's economy and its citizens' well-being through innovation-driven enterprises, science, technology, and public health. With total assets exceeding $127 million (as of 2024) and annual revenue of approximately $38 million, the Trust operates as a global innovation hub serving Puerto Rico's research community. Since inception, the Research Grants Program has awarded 148 grants totaling over $16 million to support science and technology research across diverse sectors including biodiversity, health, cultural heritage, agriculture, and technology transfer. The Trust has invested over $50 million in Puerto Rico's research infrastructure overall, generating significant impact with 60 patent applications, 39 patents obtained, and 8 companies founded by grant recipients. In 2023, the Trust marked a 36.9% increase in entrepreneurship support, reaching over 5,000 entrepreneurs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Advanced Research Grants (ARG): $150,000 maximum per project

  • Solicited proposal mechanism providing proof-of-concept funding
  • Disbursed in two installments: $75,000 at agreement execution, $75,000 after mid-point progress report
  • Application process: Letter of Intent (LOI) followed by Full Proposal
  • Goal: Advance locally developed science and technology projects toward commercialization or alternative funding sources

SBIR/STTR Matching Grant Program: Up to $100,000 (Phase I) / $200,000 (Phase II)

  • Dollar-for-dollar matching for firms receiving federal SBIR/STTR awards
  • Eligibility: Small businesses duly incorporated in Puerto Rico
  • All expenses must be incurred in Puerto Rico
  • Application deadline: At least 15 days prior to federal submission deadline
  • Application method: Rolling basis via sbir@prsciencetrust.org

Catalyzer Research Grant (Bridge Funding): Amount not publicly disclosed

  • Provides bridge funding to position R&D proposals competitively
  • Supports pre-submission or resubmission to federal/private agencies
  • Funded 10 researchers in 2022

Priority Areas

The Trust's Research Grants Program seeks to impact researchers across three sectors:

  • Academia: University-based research initiatives
  • Nonprofit research organizations: Independent research institutions
  • Private sector: Industry-based R&D projects

Research focus areas include:

  • Life sciences and biotechnology
  • Technology and engineering
  • Public health and COVID-19 response
  • Agriculture and biodiversity
  • Aerospace
  • Cultural heritage preservation
  • Technology transfer and commercialization

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly listed, key limitations include:

  • For SBIR/STTR Matching: Only businesses incorporated in Puerto Rico; all expenses must be incurred in Puerto Rico
  • Projects without clear pathways to commercialization or federal funding (for ARG program)

Governance and Leadership

Chief Executive Officer: Lucy Crespo

  • Extensive technology industry experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus
  • CEO quote: "The commitment and passion of the leadership, associates, and Trustees of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust are outstanding within our programs and the stakeholders we support. It's impressive how the Trust has incorporated innovation and technology into all our programs to deliver on our mission."

Board of Trustees includes:

  • Alfredo Casta: Founder and Chairman of Cascades Technologies, Inc. (CTi); led organization to become one of Inc. 5000's fastest growing companies for eight years

  • Gualberto Medina, Esq. & CPA: Licensed attorney, CPA, and real estate broker; former Secretary of Commerce for New Jersey; named one of Hispanic Business Magazine's 100 Most Influential Hispanics

  • Dr. Edith A. Perez: Internationally recognized translational researcher and cancer specialist; Chief Medical Officer of Bolt Therapeutics, Inc.; Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic; Director of the Mayo Clinic Breast Cancer Translational Genomics Program

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Advanced Research Grants (ARG):

  • Two-phase process: Letter of Intent (LOI) → Full Proposal (by invitation)
  • Applications accepted during open solicitation periods (not continuously rolling)
  • Check website or join newsletter for announcements of open calls
  • Contact: grants@prsciencetrust.org

SBIR/STTR Matching Grants:

  • Application must be submitted at least 15 days prior to federal submission deadline
  • Email application materials to: sbir@prsciencetrust.org
  • Must demonstrate receipt of federal SBIR/STTR Phase I or II award

Catalyzer Bridge Funding:

  • Contact grants team for current availability and application procedures

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The Trust employs peer-review procedures similar to NIH and NSF, which typically involve multi-week to multi-month review cycles.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly available. However, the Trust has awarded 148 grants totaling $16+ million since inception, with the Research Grants program specifically awarding $13.5 million to 113 researchers.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not explicitly stated in public materials. Applicants should contact the grants team for guidance on resubmission procedures.

Application Success Factors

The Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust emphasizes the following in their review process:

Rigorous Peer Review: "By strictly adhering to a comprehensive peer review process that assesses the scientific merit of grant applications in a fair, independent, expert-driven, and free from inappropriate influences, the Trust can identify and fund the most promising research or development work." The selection process mirrors standard procedures used by NIH and NSF.

Commercialization Potential: For ARG grants, projects should demonstrate clear pathways to:

  • Federal R&D funding (e.g., NIH, NSF grants)
  • Private investment (angel investors, venture capital)
  • Commercialization through licensing, sales, acquisitions, or vertical venture integration

Local Impact: The Trust seeks to advance Puerto Rico's knowledge economy. Projects should demonstrate how they will:

  • Build research capacity in Puerto Rico
  • Create economic opportunities locally
  • Contribute to Puerto Rico's innovation ecosystem

Track Record of Success: Grant recipients have generated substantial outcomes:

  • 60 patent applications filed
  • 39 patents obtained
  • 8 companies founded
  • 18 SBIR/STTR proposals awarded to fellow researchers

Strategic Alignment: Projects in high-priority sectors (life sciences, health, technology, agriculture, biodiversity) appear most competitive based on funded project portfolio.

Act 60 Tax Incentive Eligibility: For researchers seeking Act 60 tax benefits, grants must be obtained competitively through open programs subject to rigorous evaluation similar to NIH's R01 mechanism.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Federal-standard rigor required: Applications undergo NIH/NSF-style peer review; expect high scientific standards and thorough evaluation of methodology, innovation, and feasibility

  • Prove commercialization pathway: ARG applications must articulate concrete plans for transitioning to federal funding, private investment, or market commercialization—generic statements won't suffice

  • Puerto Rico connection is essential: All funded work must advance Puerto Rico's research infrastructure and economy; SBIR/STTR matching requires incorporation in PR and expenses incurred locally

  • Two-phase ARG process: Prepare a compelling Letter of Intent first; only invited applicants submit full proposals, so make the LOI count

  • Leverage SBIR/STTR matching: If eligible for federal small business innovation funding, the Trust's matching program provides significant non-dilutive capital boost (up to $200,000 for Phase II)

  • Time federal applications strategically: SBIR/STTR matching applications must arrive 15 days before federal deadline—plan accordingly

  • Join the newsletter: ARG is a solicited mechanism with periodic calls; newsletter subscribers get early notice of funding opportunities

  • Demonstrate broader impact: Highlight how your research will generate patents, companies, jobs, or follow-on funding—the Trust tracks these outcomes closely

References

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