Eleven award-winning researchers receive grants of $150,000 each, and three companies that secured SBIR funding will receive matching funds of $50,000 each.
San Juan, Puerto Rico. January 29, 2026 – The Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust (PRSTRT) awarded more than $1.8 million in grants today to eleven (11) local researchers during the recognition event for the winners of the 2026 Advanced Research Grant. As part of the same event, three (3) companies participating in the Acércate al Grant and SBIR/STTR programs, led by Colmena66, received matching funds of $50,000 each.
This distribution of funds was made possible through a recent allocation of $9.5 million granted to the PRSTRT by the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC) and the Government of Puerto Rico, with the goal of strengthening the island’s knowledge-based economy.
This event marks the first time that two programs from different strategic pillars of the Trust have awarded funding during a single activity, benefiting both researchers and entrepreneurs whose projects will have a direct impact on Puerto Rico’s economy. This year’s selection includes projects from a wide range of academic institutions and local companies, representing a significant boost for scientific and technological research in Puerto Rico.
The PRSTRT Research Grants Program is the only local funding program that, through peer review, awards grants for research conducted on the island. Among the awardees are researchers from the University of Puerto Rico—three projects from the Mayagüez Campus, one from the Medical Sciences Campus, and two from the Río Piedras Campus—two projects from the Ana G. Méndez University System (Gurabo and Carolina campuses), as well as the companies Wavemaps and Venus Sensors.
Each of the eleven selected projects will receive a grant of $150,000, an investment that will allow them to advance their research and compete at the national and international levels. The awarded projects address diverse areas such as astrophysics, clean technologies and water, biotechnology and life sciences, aerospace and advanced materials, environmental sciences, and health.
Likewise, three companies participating in the Acércate al Grant and SBIR/STTR programs, administered by Colmena66—a PRSTRT program—received matching funds of $50,000 each after successfully securing federal SBIR/STTR funding. Colmena66 provides technical assistance to researchers and entrepreneurs to help them compete successfully for highly competitive federal funding. The beneficiary companies are developing projects in strategic areas, including Flora Rural, LLC, in ecological architecture and sustainable design; INKIT Worldwide, LLC, in administrative software development; and INSU Health Design, Inc., in medical technology.
Engineer Lucy Crespo, Chief Executive Officer of the PRSTRT, stated:
“We aim to witness and actively contribute to the transformative impact of these grants on the advancement of scientific and technological exploration. This event celebrates our researchers and offers a unique opportunity to foster dialogue around our programs, grants, and collaborations. We remain committed to strengthening human capital, attracting and retaining top-tier scientists, and positioning Puerto Rico competitively to secure external funding, so that Puerto Rico continues to be a globally recognized hub of innovation.”
Meanwhile, Andreica Maldonado, Director of the Trust’s Research Grants Program, added:
“The allocation of funds from the DDEC significantly strengthens our funding mechanisms and allows us to support researchers at all stages of their careers, from emerging talent to established leaders. Thanks to this support, they will be able to develop innovative projects, generate high-impact knowledge, and create opportunities that directly benefit our island. Every dollar invested in science and research is an investment in Puerto Rico’s future, in local talent, and in an innovation ecosystem that positions our community as a benchmark in research and development.”
Barbara Rivera Chinea, Executive Director of Colmena66, commented:
“These funds represent much more than a financial investment; they are a validation of the talent and capacity of our companies to compete for and win highly competitive federal funding. Through programs such as Acércate al Grant, we support researchers and entrepreneurs in transforming innovation into solutions that directly impact Puerto Rico, enabling discoveries from laboratories to effectively reach the market.”
During the event, attendees participated in strategic discussions among a select group of principal investigators, university deans in Puerto Rico, and special guests.
For more information about the Trust’s Research Grants Program initiatives and Colmena66’s Acércate al Grant project, visit: www.prsciencetrust.org.