PRePARE

The University of Louisville PRePARE program is aimed at accelerating development of technologies that address the health, economic and societal impacts of COVID-19. 

PRePARE is seeking innovative ideas from community members in the KIPDA region that includes Bullitt, Jefferson, Henry, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, and Trimble counties in Kentucky. The goal is to support these ideas with research collaborators from UofL, plus up to $50,000 in direct costs for UofL-based research and development (R&D). Ideas must be product-driven, scalable solutions. 

PRePARE has three goals:

• strengthen connections between UofL and community partners;
• accelerate the development of technologies that mitigate pandemic- related economic, health, and safety risks; and 
• catalyze the creation of new businesses or growth of existing businesses.

PRePARE solicits “lab-to-market” subprojects that address the SPRINT Challenge goals and are responsive to specific unmet needs identified by community partners. Applicant teams will be led by UofL researchers but must include a community partner from the 7-county KIPDA economic development district centered around Louisville.

Winning teams will receive grants worth up to $50,000 in direct costs for UofL-based, product- focused R&D subprojects plus project management and entrepreneurial support from our experienced program staff. These incentivized collaborations — between PRePARE staff, university researchers with relevant scientific or technical expertise, and community partners with real-world business insights — are expected to have lasting positive impacts on regional economic growth and community wellbeing. Target outputs/outcomes for this program include new products, high-tech startups and jobs, and a more equitable and resilient economy.