Puerto Rico Science, Technology, And Research Trust

Puerto Rico Science, Technology, And Research Trust, a San Juan-based nonprofit minority-owned and Hispanic American-owned organization, receives federal grant funding to establish and operate research centers, innovation hubs, and regional capacity-building initiatives in biotechnology, renewable energy, public health, and STEM workforce development. The organization acts predominantly as a prime grant recipient (71% of recent awards) and occasionally as a sub-recipient on collaborative research projects. As a tax-exempt corporate entity with no federal contract prime awardees, Puerto Rico Science, Technology, And Research Trust does not pursue federal contracts; its federal footprint is entirely grant-based.

The organization's customer concentration spans science and health agencies. The top five customer agencies account for 44% of recent awards and include the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (4 awards), the Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology (3 awards), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (3 awards), the Health Resources and Services Administration (3 awards), and the National Science Foundation (2 awards). This distribution reflects Puerto Rico Science, Technology, And Research Trust's role as a convener and operational manager for regional innovation ecosystems and public health initiatives rather than a traditional contract performer.

Recent representative grant work includes a $374,577 NSF Integrative Activities award (CFDA 47.083) to establish the Center for AI-Driven Bioprocess Control for Cell Manufacturing (CAPCELL), integrating artificial intelligence, machine learning, biosensors, and bioprocess control to optimize mesenchymal stem cell production and extracellular vesicle manufacturing, with workforce development through K-12 outreach and graduate training running through July 2030; a $889,783 Department of Energy Technology Deployment, Demonstration and Commercialization Cooperative Agreement (CFDA 81.010) for Project SWITCH, an energy innovation incubator supporting 9 companies and 3 R&D organizations through December 2027; a $999,998 HUD Lead Hazard Reduction grant (CFDA 14.900) to identify and remediate lead-based paint hazards in low-income housing through March 2028; and a $100,000 NSF STEM Education award (CFDA 47.076) to host the Thriving Not Just Surviving conference for Hispanic-Serving Institution faculty grant development. Earlier awards include an NSF Regional Innovation Engines Development Cooperative Agreement focused on biopharmaceutical discovery-to-product ecosystems and an EDA Tech Hub planning award for biotechnology sector advancement.

In its sub-recipient role, Puerto Rico Science, Technology, And Research Trust provides operational and administrative support on federally funded collaborative research. Sub-awards include facility coordination, participant recruitment and retention, research assistant supervision, and data collection management under Harvard-led NIH R01 studies on dietary factors and bone quality in Puerto Rican populations; support for a University of Delaware-led biomanufacturing education initiative; and Territory Research Coordinator responsibilities on a Northeastern University-led public health preparedness project. One subcontract with Syracuse University involved optimization of dried attractive bait stations for Aedes aegypti mosquito control under a Department of Defense BAA topic.

Activity has grown from two awards in 2022 to seven in 2024, with five awards reaching ultimate completion within the next twenty-four months, creating recompete opportunity for the organization's core programs. The organization's federal grant work concentrates on biotechnology manufacturing, energy innovation, infectious disease surveillance and control, lead hazard remediation, and regional economic development — positioning it as the operational and convening entity for Puerto Rico's federal science and technology ecosystem rather than a traditional prime performer or contractor.