Boise State receives statewide IGEM awards, securing nearly $1 million for commercial innovation

Boise State University faculty achieved major successes in a statewide research competition, taking home most of the state's top economic development grants.

Of 18 initial proposals across Idaho's major institutions, only 11 advanced to the finals, and Boise State accounted for six. Boise State secured three new grants and two key renewals from the Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission (IGEM) Higher Education Research Council (HERC) program, bringing nearly $926,000 directly to its labs to translate academic research into the private sector.

Funded by the Idaho Legislature, the IGEM HERC program is not a typical academic grant. Instead, a committee composed of university vice presidents of research, industry members and an Idaho National Laboratory representative evaluates proposals based on their support of the IGEM initiative's goals: how effectively they can drive Idaho's economy, solve industry problems or launch a new product to market.

"It is heavily commercialization-focused," said Brett Adkins, director of Boise State's Office of Technology Transfer. "The committee wants to see how you are actively pushing a concept along to become an actual product."

While the awards celebrate the effort and brilliance of Boise State faculty, the Office of Technology Transfer plays an important role in guiding them behind the scenes. Because these proposals require a specialized commercial mindset, OTT works as a strategic adviser, helping faculty pivot their writing away from dense scholarly theory and toward market potential.

Beyond reviewing drafts, the office frequently acts as a matchmaker. A prime example is Alex Sheldon, a new assistant professor who joined Boise State last semester after a career in industry. When Sheldon needed a local partner to anchor his proposal, Adkins used the office's network to connect him with American Semiconductor, a local microchip firm. The partnership worked, and the proposal was awarded.

2026 IGEM HERC awardees

The program contains distinct funding tracks, including proof of concept, scale-up and commercialization, with support up to $300,000 annually as market potential increases. This year's cohort represents a mix of rising talent and veteran research leaders.

New project wins:

• Alex Sheldon ($152,600): partnering with American Semiconductor to advance faster, less expensive data transmission over fiber-optic cables
• Konrad Meister ($145,000): partnering with Hyacinth Proteins to advance ice-nucleating protein research
• Todd Otanicar ($125,000): partnering with NxEdge to develop solutions using 3D printing to create improved gas distribution components for semiconductor manufacturing

Renewed project wins:

• Owen McDougal ($372,800): partnering with Genesis Organics and the Gibby Group, continuing commercial advances in agricultural science and food chemistry
• Claire Xiong ($130,300): enhancing next-generation battery technology and renewable energy materials science

If you have a project with commercial potential, the IGEM HERC pipeline offers an annual open call centered around core state pillars, including health care, artificial intelligence and agriculture. The process opens with a streamlined, three-page pre-proposal. If advanced by the selection committee, faculty have a couple of months to build a full, 10-page proposal.

While not an administrative requirement, running your proposal through the Office of Technology Transfer early ensures your draft highlights market readiness and economic impact, the metrics the state committee scores highest.

Through the combined drive of Boise State faculty and the strategic navigation of the Office of Technology Transfer, Boise State continues to show its research upgrades Idaho's future.

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