Cornerstone Genomics Awarded NSF SBIR Grant for Advanced Genome Research Software

Small Business Innovation Research Program Provides Seed Funding for R&D

Cornerstone Genomics LLC has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) to conduct research and development (R&D) work on a SaaS product that will allow genome researchers to rapidly and accurately interpret DNA variation.

With SBIR Phase II support, Cornerstone Genomics and partners are developing novel digital analytical software tools that will dramatically accelerate scientific discoveries through precision analyses of the functional impact of DNA variation in human biomedicine and wildlife biology.

“NSF is proud to support the technology of the future by thinking beyond incremental developments and funding the most creative, impactful ideas across all markets and areas of science and engineering,” said Andrea Belz, Division Director of the Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships at NSF. “With the support of our research funds, any deep technology startup or small business can guide basic science into meaningful solutions that address tremendous needs.”

“With this generous support from the National Science Foundation, we can translate our scientific vision into reality, providing a transformative resource to find those precise genome targets that are causing changes in biological function or disease”. Jill Pecon-Slattery, CEO and Founder.

Once a small business is awarded a Phase I SBIR/STTR grant (up to $256,000), it becomes eligible to apply for a Phase II (up to $1,000,000). Small businesses with Phase II funding are eligible to receive up to $500,000 in additional matching funds with qualifying third-party investment or sales.

NSF accepts Phase I proposals from small businesses at any time. Small businesses with innovative science and technology solutions, and commercial potential are encouraged to apply. All proposals submitted to the NSF SBIR/STTR program, also known as America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF, undergo a rigorous merit-based review process.

To learn more about America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF, visit: https://seedfund.nsf.gov/

About the National Science Foundation’s Small Business Programs: America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF awards $200 million annually to startups and small businesses, transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial and societal impact. Startups working across almost all areas of science and technology can receive up to $2 million in funding to support research and development (R&D), helping de-risk technology for commercial success. America’s Seed Fund is congressionally mandated through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The NSF is an independent federal agency with a budget of about $8.5 billion that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering.