STAIR Grant Program

STAIR HEALTH 2026 Proof-of-Concept Program

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STAIR HEALTH is a health-focused proof-of-concept (PoC) program that advances high-impact translational research in human health, drawing from disciplines across UC Davis. It concentrates resources on funding fewer, higher-potential projects with clear pathways to clinical adoption and commercial success, accelerating licensing and startup formation.

Managed by Venture Catalyst and UC Davis Health Ventures - part of the Innovation & Economic Development Office (IEDO) - STAIR HEALTH builds on a decade of success in technology translation. To date, the broader STAIR Program has made 88 awards, supported by the Vice Chancellor for Research, campus partners, and industry leaders. In this cycle, UC Davis Health Ventures plays a central role through its Investing in the Future of Medicine (IFM) Fund, reinforcing a focused commitment to translating cutting-edge research into next-generation human health solutions. Funded projects will also be advanced through the UC Davis Health Venture Studio to accelerate development, de-risk technologies, and position them for clinical and commercial success.

Bridging the "Translation Gap" to Market Readiness

Early-stage university technologies are often too high-risk to attract the private capital necessary for commercialization. The STAIR HEALTH program helps bridge this early "Valley of Death" by providing the capital and strategic support and resources required to transform academic discoveries into regulated, marketable, and clinically integrable medical solutions.

Under the theme “Tomorrow’s Health Care Today,” this program goes beyond funding research by further de-risking commercial, regulatory, and clinical pathways to accelerate real-world impact and generate financial returns that can be reinvested in the UC Davis and UC Davis Health missions.

From Proof-of-Concept (PoC) to Proof-of-Product (PoP)

Successful projects will advance human health-focused technologies toward a defined commercial exit. STAIR HEALTH funding is designed to demonstrate the utility and viability of an innovative concept through iterative product development and validation, establishing a clear commercial translation roadmap and positioning projects for follow-on proof-of-product funding. STAIR HEALTH projects are funded to support the following:

• Target Product Profile (TPP) Development: Refining the product’s technical specifications including a clear strategy for regulatory approval and reimbursement/revenue.
• The "Killer Experiment": Achieving a technical de-risking milestone that removes a significant barrier towards translation of a research idea towards a product.
• Customer Discovery: Integrating feedback from clinicians, hospital administrators, payors, end-users, and other stakeholders to ensure the technology has a viable path to broad clinical adoption.
• Commercial Translation Roadmap: Developing a comprehensive "Bench-to-Bedside" plan that outlines the specific steps, timeline, and capital requirements for future phases of commercial development and clinical adoption.
• Foundational IP: Generating translational data that enables or strengthens patent claims within the competitive landscape.
• Follow-on Funding Readiness: Producing results that support competitive funding programs to further advance and de-risk the innovation towards commercialization. 

STAIR HEALTH serves as a gateway into the UC Davis Health Venture Studio, helping turn academic research into investment-ready medical innovations. Selected projects receive structured support to reduce risk and advance toward commercialization. The program emphasizes mentorship from industry experts, providing valuable feedback to strengthen research and market potential. It also fosters a broader culture of innovation and entrepreneurship at UC Davis.

How to Apply

The application deadline is Friday, May 22, 2026, at 11:59 pm PDT. Applications can be found via the InfoReady Link or the "Apply Here" button below.

Apply Here

Questions? Please email us at [email protected].

Key Dates