The Network That
Powers the Bioeconomy

BioCAN connects Indiana biotech companies to contract development and manufacturing organizations, labs, federal funding programs, and the capital network needed to scale.

25+
Indiana CDMO & lab resources
7
Capability areas mapped
#1
U.S. pharmaceutical exports
All 3
COVID-19 vaccines made in IN
Overview

Connecting Companies to Capacity and Capital

BioCAN serves as Indiana's central hub for biomanufacturing network access and funding navigation. Whether a company needs a CDMO partner, a federal grant, or a strategic investor introduction, BioCAN provides the connections.

The BioCAN network spans Indiana's full CDMO ecosystem — from drug substance to drug product, biologics to small molecules, Phase I to commercial scale.

Automated production equipment running inside a biomanufacturing facility
Indiana's Ecosystem

Explore Indiana's Biomanufacturing Ecosystem

Meet some of Indiana's CDMO and lab resources — from drug product manufacturing and gene therapy to precision fermentation, radiopharmaceuticals, and clinical lab services. Our network continues to grow, so check back soon as we add more resources to the list.

Explore more resources on the Startup Hub

Indiana's startup support ecosystem, curated in one place by BioCrossroads.

Visit the Startup Hub
Funding

BioCAN Grants

Non-dilutive funding that offsets the cost of working with Indiana's CDMO, laboratory, and scale-up resources.

$50K–$500K
Individual BioCAN Grant Awards

Support Indiana's biotech innovation ecosystem and accelerate biotech commercialization through funded access to Indiana's CDMO and scale-up infrastructure.

Funding Details

Individual Award
$50K–$500K
Total Per Cycle
$500K–$1M
Grants Per Cycle
2–4
Performance Period
Up to 12 Months
Characteristics
Non-Dilutive
Fixed Amount Award

Please see guidelines linked below for eligible types of activities and more information.

Summer 2026 Program Materials

Document links are being finalized — please check back shortly.

Summer 2026 Timeline

01
June 11, 2026
Application Opens
02
July 10, 2026
Application Closes
11:59 PM EST · No extensions
03
September 2026
Awardees Notified
04
October–December 2026
Grant Funds Deployed

Detailed Program Information

Indiana is home to a robust network of contract development & manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), labs, and digital assets equipped to accelerate commercialization of a wide range of biotechnology solutions. Heartland BioWorks seeks to support innovator access to Indiana's network of biotechnology drug substance manufacturers; industrial biotechnology precision fermentation manufacturers; formulation, fill, and finish drug product manufacturers for both biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical products; and other contract or support organizations relevant to biotech development.

BioCAN Grants will offset project costs for late-stage development, clinical, and commercialization activities that utilize these resources in Indiana.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration has approved deployment of $9,000,000 of non-dilutive fixed amount awards as BioCAN Grants over the next several years.

Individual grants range from $50,000 to $500,000, with an expected total of $500,000 to $1,000,000 in awards per funding cycle.

Organizations must include:

  • for-profit, nonprofit, or academic institutions with a registered legal entity in the United States
  • active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
  • organizations generally classified as small businesses, generally fewer than 1,000 employees; defer to Program Guidelines for exact criteria

Eligible technologies/solutions include:

  • biotechnology — human, animal, or plant
  • advanced biomanufacturing innovations
  • software
  • hardware or equipment
  • material science
  • process innovation
  • drug delivery devices
  • combination products
  • analytical tools associated with biomanufacturing or biotechnology development
  • advanced manufacturing solutions associated with biomanufacturing

Ideal applicants include organizations utilizing Indiana-based CDMOs, laboratories, or other biotechnology resources (see the resource map).

Applicant solutions should generally be:

  • at or beyond TRL 6 — Prototype System Verified
  • locked into a lead drug candidate
  • in late-stage preclinical development with final preparation of IND filing for human biotechnology
  • completing GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) testing
  • completing engineering or GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) manufacturing runs
  • initiating Phase 1 clinical trials
  • and/or demonstrating a prototype in the relevant environment

Priority will be given to organizations:

  • utilizing Indiana-based CDMOs, laboratories, or other biotech resources
  • with sufficient funding to sustain operations for at least the next 18 months

Please review our Program Guidelines first.

If you still cannot find an answer to your question, please email BioLaunch@theARI.us and our team will respond within 1–3 business days.

Government Award Information
Authority
Applied Research Institute, Inc., 13598 E. Westgate Dr., Odon, IN 47562
Project/Work
Heartland BioWorks: BioLaunch
EDA Award Number
ED24HDQ0G0469
Other Funding

Explore additional funding opportunities

Discover startup funding programs and resources available through Indiana's innovation ecosystem.

Explore Funding Opportunities
Ready to Connect?

Talk with the BioCAN Team

Have questions about funding eligibility, Indiana CDMO resources, or potential project fit? Connect with our team.

Contact BioCAN