Program provides up to $75,000 in R&D funding; deadline to apply is Tuesday, April 28

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – April 10, 2026 – Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor and Rhode Island Commerce announce the opening of the Innovation Voucher program. Applications are being accepted through Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. EST.

Part of Rhode Island Commerce’s Innovation Initiatives portfolio, the Innovation Voucher program funds strategic investments in local businesses that catalyze growth through research and development (R&D). Businesses may apply for up to $75,000 in funding.

“Programs such as Commerce’s Innovation Vouchers reflect my administration’s commitment to creating good-paying, quality jobs and growing our economy,” said Governor McKee. “The projects being supported attract private investment and create jobs and vibrant places where businesses and Rhode Islanders can thrive.”

There are two types of Innovation Vouchers available: “Knowledge Provider” vouchers, which support partnerships between small businesses and local research institutions (e.g. colleges, universities, or hospitals); and “Manufacturing” vouchers, which support in-house R&D by manufacturing businesses.

Since the program’s inception, 153 projects across 117 companies have been supported, representing a total investment of more than $8.1M. These awards have helped generate $9.1 million in SBIR follow-on funding and $47.1 million in additional new investment.

“Commerce’s Innovation Voucher Program is helping our companies turn promising ideas into real-world solutions,” said Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor. “By supporting R&D, we are fostering innovation, helping businesses grow, and further positioning Rhode Island as a place where entrepreneurs can thrive.”

The new application round follows the Rhode Island Commerce Board’s approval of three Innovation Vouchers at its April 1, 2026 meeting:

Liseva Bio, Inc. | Providence | $75,000 | Knowledge Provider | Liseva Bio is developing a breakthrough technology enabling immune cell therapy to effectively treat deadly solid tumors utilizing its Cellular Armor Technology. Innovation Voucher funds will support critical experiments with Brown University to validate Liseva's treatment approach in
preclinical models, generating data needed to advance toward clinical trials for patients facing cancers with limited treatment options.

Shellf Life, LLC | Providence | $75,000 | Manufacturing | Shellf Life manufactures architectural tiles and surfaces from discarded seafood shells collected from Rhode Island restaurants and seafood wholesalers, using a cement-free, resin-free process that captures carbon. Innovation Voucher funds support ASTM certification testing required to sell Shellf Life’s tiles commercially. Shellf Life will validate protective sealant systems and submit samples to accredited laboratories for fire rating, slip resistance, and durability testing. Certification unlocks $200,000+ in waitlisted architect demand and establishes Rhode Island as home to the first ASTM-certified shell-based building material in America.

Trace Sensing Technologies Inc. | $74,760 | Knowledge Provider | Trace Sensing Technologies Inc will run a pre-clinical study on their non-invasive, breath-based medical device called TRACE-E, designed to include optimization of thermodynamic sensors to detect predictive biomarkers for chronic kidney disease (CKD). The study will determine the qualitative and quantitative relationship between targeted breath biomarkers and kidney function through comparison with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to help establish a new standard of care.

Innovation Voucher applications are evaluated based on possible impact, technological innovation, market demand, and potential for commercialization. Support is prioritized for targeted industries, including advanced materials, ocean economy, defense, energy and environment, food systems, and life sciences.

Businesses can learn more and apply at commerceri.com/innovation-voucher.

 

Contact: Giselle Mahoney
(401) 545-0626
giselle.mahoney.ctr@commerce.ri.gov