CBC-HITES

Introducing CBC-HITES

The Chicago Biomedical Consortium Hub for Innovative Technology and Entrepreneurship in the Sciences (CBC-HITES) provides Chicagoland academic innovators with the support needed to develop scientific and technical discoveries into biomedical applications.

CBC-HITES is a proof-of-concept biopharma and health technology center funded by the NIH Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH) program. Hubs are designed to provide academic innovators with product development education, industry connections, project management, and funding necessary to develop biomedical applications.

CBC-HITES is a non-traditional funding and analytics resource for academic researchers from Chicagoland institutions built on the processes and infrastructure created by the Chicago Biomedical Consortium and is housed in Northwestern Medicine’s Comprehensive Transplant Center.

CBC-HITES funding includes:

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Application Process and Requirements | Why Should I Apply? | Who is Eligible? | Apply Here | People | Resources

Application Process and Requirements

Applicants will submit an 11-page Letter of Intent (LOI) by May 5, 2026, for screening. If LOIs pass the screening stage and move to analysis, applicants will be invited to submit a full application.

 


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Application Process and Requirements | Why Should I Apply? | Who is Eligible? | Apply Here | People | Resources

Why Should I Apply for CBC-HITES?

The CBC-HITES award program goes beyond funding to include the support an academic innovator needs to successfully translate their academic breakthrough into a commercially viable product.

CBC-HITES staff and Entrepreneurial-Fellows will work closely with you and the technology transfer experts at your institution to navigate the business, regulatory, and clinical landscapes to accelerate the translation of your innovation to impactful healthcare solutions.

To ensure your success, we provide guidance to assist you in creating a high-quality commercialization plan. Awardees also receive milestone-driven project management and advisement from our network of industry advisors.

Projects from the CBC-HITES program may be competitive for financing through small business development grants (SBIR/STTR) or private capital investment.

A CBC-HITES Award includes the following:

• • Funding: Windy City Award up to $75,000 in direct costs for one year.

• • Industry Network: Teams will have access to industry and subject matter experts with experience in commercialization, product development, regulatory, reimbursement, and go-to-market strategy.

• • Project Management: Project managers track milestones and timelines, help identify additional non-dilutive funding resources, and connect awardees to industry experts for product development, regulatory and reimbursement strategy, market analysis, and SBIR development. Teams are expected to meet regularly with their project manager.

• • Education and Resources: Teams may receive one-on-one education from industry professionals, learn to present their work to investors, and innovations are showcased during our Review Board and in our Chicago BioBuilders Summit.

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Application Process and Requirements | Why Should I Apply? | Who is Eligible? | Apply Here | People | Resources

Who is Eligible for our Funding and Services?

Applications for CBC-HITES awards are available to faculty and trainees associated with any of our partnering institutions shown below. While CBC-HITES applications must include at least one tenured, tenure-track or research faculty, with their own designated laboratory space, we welcome projects driven by trainees. The technology driving the application CANNOT be licensed to any company or supported by a sponsored research agreement.

 

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Windy City Innovation Awards up to $75,000 in direct costs

 

• • For eligible faculty from University of Illinois (Chicago and other campuses), University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Loyola University, Illinois Institute of Technology, Northern Illinois University, Rosalind Franklin University, Rush University, Discovery Partners Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and their affiliate institutions, applying with an innovation in therapeutics, drug discovery platforms, or medical devices.

• • Funding is for up to one year for direct costs only.