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PEOPLE and EVENTS by editors@ccgmag.com


PUERTO RICO SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & RESEARCH TRUST GRANTS GROUNDBREAKING FUNDING AS IT USHERS IN NEW LEADERSHIP


ew drugs against malaria, hybrid technologies to further aviation, and biotechnology to purify water are just a few of the initiatives that will be made possible thanks to grants by the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust. Luz A. “Lucy” Crespo is the organization’s new chief executive officer. Her appointment was made during a meeting of the Council of Trustees, where the exciting news was announced.


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Of the 12 projects that were chosen, nine were from academia (three from the University of Puerto Rico and one from the Metropolitan University) and three were from for-profit entities (Tailwind Medical Devices, Pathways PR, and ComQuest Ventures). The Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust is a non-profit organization created in 2004 to encourage and promote innovation, transfer, and commercialization of technology and create jobs in the technology sector. The trust is also responsible for public policy for science, technology, research, and development.


Coming next: A second Request for Proposals for science and technology research grants, support of activities aimed at startups and entrepreneurship, and the second phase of the Science Boulevard. Historic Moment


During the grant award ceremony at the Trust’s headquarters, Crespo said: “This is a historic moment for Puerto Rico. With these projects, we are sharing with the international scientific community that as a country we have an excellent capacity for research and that we are taking the right steps to become an international hub for innovation, commercialization, and scientific and technological development.


“This is the first time that a program of this kind is implemented on the Island, one aimed at providing funds to further Puerto Rico’s agenda for scientific research and technological development. This initiative will allow Puerto Rico to aggressively move toward a knowledge economy,” Crespo said.


According to Crespo, the first research funding program in Puerto Rico will grant $150,000 to each of the projects that were chosen from a total of 43 proposals stemming from academia, nonprofits, and the private sector. Of the projects that will receive $150,000 for a one-year period,


6 HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | Fall 2015


seven are in the area of biotechnology and life sciences, three are from the realm of aerospace, one deals with medical devices, and one is related to information technology.


In addition to the awarding of these funds, the grants program also offers support to the Small Research Grants Program, created to provide up to $70,000 in funding to help improve and position research and development proposals that are to be submitted to private or federal agencies.


Attract and Recruit


Another segment that benefits is the Researcher’s Startup Fund Program, which helps universities in Puerto Rico attract and recruit renowned scientists that are well regarded in their respective area of research and are interested in working on the Island. Likewise, SBIR/STTR Matching Funds is another segment of the grants program that provides economic support by matching funds that are received by the researchers.


Crespo brings to the table more than three decades of proven


experience. For over 30 years she has held


several


Luz A. “Lucy” Crespo Chief Executive Officer Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust


www.hispanicengineer.com


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