NC Commerce: Science, Technology & Innovation

The mission of the N.C. Office of Science, Technology & Innovation is to improve the economic well‐being and quality of life of all North Carolinians through advancing science, technology, and innovation.

To achieve this mission, the Office develops and administers policies and programs that accelerate both the development of next-generation technology companies and the adoption of technology across existing industry. Working with organizations across the state, it identifies and communicates emerging opportunities in science and technology and prepares and publishes analyses outlining the competitive position of North Carolina’s businesses and research institutions in these areas.

To see the Office's latest innovation report, see Tracking Innovation 2017 (pdf).

For a comprehensive review of the Office's programs and impacts, see its March 2012 Continuation Review Report (pdf).

Our Programs & Services

Our Programs & Services: We offer grants programs to help fund innovative science and technology companies in the state and state-level science, technology, and innovation policy research.

One North Carolina Small Business Program - State matching awards for North Carolina businesses who have been awarded a federal Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants.
Green Business Fund - Competitive grants to help NC small businesses develop commercial innovations and applications in the biofuels industry and the green building industry, as well as attract and leverage private sector investments and entrepreneurial growth in environmentally conscious technologies and renewable energy products and businesses.
Policy Research - Reports and resources to focused on innovation and specific topics, as well as the state's primary innovation barometer, Tracking Innovation.

Contacts

Executive Staff

John Hardin, Ph.D.
Executive Director
919-814-4639
jhardin@nccommerce.com

David Kaiser
Assistant Director
919-814-4641
david.kaiser@nccommerce.com

Ruth Maitz
Executive Assistant
919-814-4642
ruth.maitz@nccommerce.com

Join our Mailing List by sending a blank (no signature) email to subscribe-ncscitech@nclist.com.

Resources

The Office of Science, Technology & Innovation has several resources to assist you, including reports focused on innovation and related topics, the Nano Directory, and links to useful state resources.

Science Parks

North Carolina Research Parks are sites of opportunity where businesses and knowledge resources meet to promote the innovation economy.

Defined by being a nucleus of technology efforts, these locations are drivers of scientific and information technology research and product commercialization. This provides careers in the local area, and it supplies our country and world with novel solutions to our greatest threats.

Areas of focus and expertise include:

Health & Well-Being
Energy & the Environment
Education Innovation
Safety & Security

Across the state, people are working on various campuses to develop the next big thing. These sites are:

Research Triangle Park, Durham
Centennial Campus at North Carolina State University, Raleigh
Charlotte Research Institute at UNC Charlotte, Charlotte
Wake Forest Innovation Quarter at Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem
Gateway University Research Park at UNC Greensboro and NC A&T State University, Greensboro
NC Research Campus of NC University System, Kannapolis
CREST Research Park at UNC Wilmington, Wilmington
Carolina North at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill
WCU Millennial Initiative at Western Carolina University, Cullowhee
Appalachian Millennial Campus at Appalachian State University, Boone
ECU Millennial Campus at East Carolina University, Greenville

Want to visit or find a job? Find the NC Park nearest you on the map below. (Date of establishment in parenthesis)

map of NC research parks