The University of Arizona (U of A) and Banner Health are launching a Joint Translational Research Accelerator to catalyze collaborative pilot projects that will advance discoveries toward clinical implementation and improved patient outcomes. This program is designed to support interdisciplinary teams that bridge fundamental science, clinical research, and healthcare delivery.

The accelerator will fund approximately up to four pilot teams at $250,000 per project. Projects may last up to two years. The program is intended to support early‑stage translational research that can rapidly lead to clinical validation, follow‑on grant funding, industry partnerships or clinical trial development.

Successful proposals should demonstrate clear translational potential and include collaboration between U of A investigators and Banner Health clinical partners.

The project lead must be either a University of Arizona tenured or tenure‑track faculty member or a physician employed by either Banner University Medical Group or Banner Medical Group. Teams are strongly encouraged to include Banner Health clinicians or clinical investigators as co‑PIs or co-investigators.

Written Letters of Intent are encouraged and must not exceed one page (single spaced, 12‑point font, 1‑inch margins) and must include:

Letter of Intent:

• PI Name and affiliation
• Collaborator(s) name(s) and affiliation(s)
• Executive summary describing the clinical problem and proposed innovation
• Project goals, expected outcomes and anticipated translational impact

Written full proposals must not exceed three pages (single spaced, 12‑point font, 1‑inch margins) and must include:

Full proposal:

• Executive summary describing the clinical problem and proposed innovation
• Description of the unmet medical need
• Project goals, expected outcomes and translational impact
• Description of the research team and U of A–Banner collaboration
• Approach and methodology
• Milestones and timeline (maximum 24 months)
• Product development plan
• Plan for external funding or commercialization

A detailed budget request aligned with the milestones should also be included in the submission. An Excel template is provided in Arizona Cultivate and must be uploaded in Excel to the submission system. Additionally, a one-page budget justification is required. 

Typical project budgets will be up to $250,000 to be spent over one or two years, depending on project scope. Final budget determinations will be made after selection based on final scope and schedule.

Continued budget allocation to a winning project will be contingent on satisfactory progress in meeting the annual milestones. Projects that do not show sufficient progress against their milestones will be terminated prior to the two-year nominal performance term. No cost extensions beyond two years will not be allowed.

• 30% - Strength of the translational opportunity and potential impact on patient care
• 20% - Quality and feasibility of the scientific approach
• 20% - Strength of the collaboration between University of Arizona and Banner Health
• 15% - Likelihood of securing external funding, industry partnership or commercialization
• 15% - Feasibility of a product development plan that will allow for clinical trials in humans in less than five years

• Solicitation Release: June 1, 2026
• Information Session and Q&A: June 9, 2026
• Collaboration/Open House Sessions: Week of June 15, 2026
• Letter of Intent (encouraged) Due: June 18, 2026, at noon MST
• Collaboration/Open House Sessions: Week of July 13, 2026
• Full Proposal Deadline: August 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM MST
• Notification of Pitch Invitations: September 1, 2026
• Pitch Session: Week of September 14.
• Award Announcement: Week of September 21, 2026
• Project Start Date: October 1, 2026

Teams whose written proposals are selected for oral presentation will be invited to pitch their proposal in an oral presentation. The teams will compete in a public process akin to an entrepreneur’s pitch to venture capitalists. Presentations will be strictly limited to 8 minutes, with an additional 7 minutes for questions, and are expected to succinctly, but clearly address all elements of the project, as well as describe the project team leadership qualifications, milestones and the budget. Details on presentation framework will be shared with the selected teams.

Have questions or want to connect with potential collaborators? Attend an information session and Q&A on June 9, or an open house session the week of June 15. Letters of intent are due June 18 at noon MST, with full proposals due Aug. 10.

Proposals must be submitted electronically through the Arizona Cultivate submission system.

Apply on Arizona Cultivate