Puerto Rico Science Technology and Research Trust

What Puerto Rico Science Technology and Research Trust does

The Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust (PRSTRT) is a non-profit organization established in 2004 under Puerto Rico Public Law 214, operating as the island's autonomous government-backed vehicle for science, technology, and research development. Headquartered at Science City in San Juan, the Trust operates across four strategic pillars — Research & Development, Entrepreneurship, Public Health, and Talent Management — managing more than 16 programs including the Act 60 tax incentive framework, the Tech Transfer Office (47 patent applications, 27 invention disclosures), Parallel18 accelerator (572 startups graduated), Colmena66 (20,780 entrepreneurs served), the Research Grants Program ($17.1M awarded to 162 grantees with a 4:1 ROI generating $69.6M in returns), PR Consortium for Clinical Investigation (90+ contracts, 272 certified coordinators), and the Research Institute running a 33,000+ sample SARS-CoV-2 biorepository.

The Trust generates no product revenue; its funding model is government appropriations (DDEC, federal agencies including NSF, EDA, SBA, CDC, HUD) plus private donations and grants. The Candid Platinum Transparency Rating signals strong nonprofit governance. Distribution is direct program delivery: grants, accelerator cohorts, clinical research contracts, training programs, and online platforms (BEACON, Tech Transfer portal). Customer segments span academic researchers, entrepreneurs, healthcare providers, students, government policymakers, and investors across Puerto Rico and selectively international markets.

Recent strategic activity includes the October 2025 pause of the Caribbean Center for Rising Seas program due to funding constraints, the launch of BioLeap's third cohort and Parallel18 Generation 14, an NSF RAISE grant for flood warning sensors, and ongoing federal grant inflows supporting research infrastructure and translational programs.

Name

Puerto Rico Science Technology and Research Trust

Legal name

Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust

Website

https://prsciencetrust.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust is a non-profit, government-backed entity (established 2004) that operates 16+ programs across R&D, entrepreneurship, public health, and talent management, serving researchers, startups, healthcare providers, and students in Puerto Rico.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Research and Development Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy) (BPAIAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Learning & Training Content Development (EDAGAKAC), Biomedical Sciences & Medical Research Institutes (University-Based) (EDAHAGAI)

Keywords

• Scientific research funding
• Technology transfer services
• Startup acceleration programs
• Clinical research consortium
• Stem workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

San Juan

HQ country

Puerto Rico

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Funding from Puerto Rico government through DDEC and other public sources to advance science, technology, research, and economic development in Puerto Rico.
2. Private Donations: Private funding from individual donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors supporting Trust programs and initiatives.
3. Program Services: Revenue from various programs including research grants, technology transfer services, entrepreneurship acceleration, and public health initiatives.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust is a nonprofit organization that administers 16+ programs across four strategic pillars (Research & Development, Entrepreneurship, Public Health, and Talent Management). It provides competitive research grants, technology transfer and IP commercialization services, startup acceleration and incubation, clinical research infrastructure, and STEM education and workforce development to advance Puerto Rico's knowledge economy. Services are delivered through direct program participation, online platforms, and physical facilities at the Science City complex in San Juan.

Product overview

Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust operates as a multi-pillar innovation organization advancing Puerto Rico's economy and citizens' well-being through four strategic areas: (1) Research & Development - including Act 60 tax incentives for R&D, Research Grants Program ($17M+ awarded to 162 grantees), Caribbean Center for Rising Seas, Center for Tropical Biodiversity, Research Institute in bioscience, and Tech Transfer Office with 47 patent applications; (2) Public Health - including PR Consortium for Clinical Investigation (PRCCI), Puerto Rico Public Health Institute, PR Vector Control Unit, and PR Patient Network; (3) Entrepreneurship - including Parallel18 accelerator (572 graduates), Colmena66 (20,780 entrepreneurs served), Fase1 incubator, Xpand scale-up program, and SBIR/STTR matching grants; (4) STEM Education & Talent - including TecLab technology clubs, Azmat Assur scholarships, Milo Climate Action Academy, and Research & Innovation Meetups. The Trust also operates FideicomisoTV media channel, ConCiencia podcast, and BEACON academic platform. The organization administers more than 16 programs across these pillars.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Advanced Research Grants (ARG): Funding program that facilitates taking locally developed research projects to the next level
• Catalyzer Research Grant Program
• ARG Space Edition
• BEACON
• EnTRUST
• FideicomisoTV
• Research & Innovation Meetups

Products and services

• Act 60 Tax incentive program to foster research and development activity conducted at local universities in Puerto Rico, allowing qualified Principal Investigators to seek tax exemptions for salaries earned from eligible R&D research grants.
• Research Grants Program Open and competitive funding mechanism supporting development of science and technology research projects in Puerto Rico. Has awarded $17,082,156 to 162 grantees with $69,624,720 return of funding (4:1 return ratio).
• Advanced Research Grants Funding mechanism to take locally developed research projects to the next level, including Space Edition grants providing microgravity research opportunities aboard the International Space Station.
• Catalyzer Research Grant Program Bridge funding program to help researchers position their R&D proposals competitively prior to submission or resubmission to private or federal agencies.
• SBIR/STTR Matching Grant Program Program providing 1-to-1 matching funds for Phase I and II SBIR/STTR proposals to promote and increase commercialization of research.
• Caribbean Center for Rising Seas Program focused on resiliency and adaptation, providing education, outreach, and design guidelines and best practices for the built environment to prepare coastal communities for increased flooding from sea level rise.
• Center for Tropical Biodiversity Program facilitating high-impact research in biodiversity and natural products, encouraging projects to observe and catalog Puerto Rico's rich biodiversity with goals of understanding organism-environment interactions and bio-prospecting.
• Research Institute Advanced applied research institute in integrative bioscience, emphasizing decoding fundamental biological processes underlying diseases impacting the Puerto Rican population. Houses Core Laboratories and manages SARS-CoV-2 biorepository with 33,000+ samples and 13,500+ genome sequences.
• Tech Transfer Office Office helping make Puerto Rico a global leader in innovation by identifying, evaluating, protecting, marketing, and transferring research discoveries from universities and research institutes to the private sector. Portfolio includes 47 patent applications and 27 invention disclosures.
• Parallel18 International startup accelerator program that has graduated 572 startups cumulatively, offering acceleration services and grants including $1.495M distributed in P18 and Pre18 programs. Generation 14 launched in 2026 with 15 startups from 9 countries.
• BioLeap Bioscience incubator operated by parallel18, offering a 26-week program supporting biotech and life science projects from laboratory to market with mentorship, technical assistance, and access to regional facilities. Third cohort opened in October 2025.
• Colmena 66 Program serving entrepreneurs with resources and networking opportunities. Has served 20,780 entrepreneurs since 2016, including support for SBIR/STTR federal grants applications.
• Fase 1 Startup incubator that has incubated 142 startups in the current fiscal year, supporting early-stage entrepreneurs.
• Xpand Program supporting businesses in growth stage seeking to expand to new markets, providing technical assistance at no cost.
• EnTRUST Life Science Lab to Market bootcamp offered in conjunction with Columbia University's Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research. 12-week course exposing researchers to drug development and commercialization. Established in 2021.
• PR Consortium for Clinical Investigation (PRCCI) Consortium advancing clinical research in Puerto Rico through 300+ clinical trial opportunities, 272 certified coordinators, and 90+ clinical research contracts. Supports 41 active studies across 20+ therapeutic areas with 45.8% fewer protocol deviations than global network averages and 17% higher patient enrollment rates.
• Puerto Rico Public Health Institute (PRPHI) Institute established in 2019 serving as Puerto Rico's public health institute, promoting innovative and evidence-informed public health practices for systematic improvements in population health.
• PR Vector Control Unit Unit focused on vector control activities, having obtained $2.45M in new funds from CDC and HUD, and trained over 700 professionals through TITEC/PRVCU programs.
• PR Patient Network Network connecting patients in Puerto Rico with healthcare resources and clinical research opportunities.
• STEM Education & Workforce Development Program improving K-12 STEM education and developing skills in emerging technologies. Includes TecLab Clubs in high schools, Azmat Assur scholarships ($20,000 awards), Milo Climate Action Academy, and Hexagon 3D printing studio.
• Research & Innovation Meetups Program fostering sustained dialogue and collaboration within a network of stakeholders in Puerto Rico's knowledge economy. Has engaged over 1,000 event attendees and featured more than 60 speakers since 2015, with 329% attendance increase.
• BEACON Platform Centralized digital platform collecting, displaying, analyzing, and reporting on all academic activity in Puerto Rico. Allows researchers to publish profiles, connect with institutions, researchers, companies, and potential investors.

Quantifiable outcome

• $69.6M return of funding generated from $17M in grants awarded (4:1 return ratio)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Columbia University's Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnTRUST program established in 2021 as a Life Science 'Lab to Market' bootcamp offered in conjunction with Columbia University's Irving Institute. Each year a 12-week course exposes academic researchers to key aspects of drug development, design, and commercialization.
• Rising Seas InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on documentary 'Cuando el Mar Nos Alcance' (When the Sea Reaches Us), filmed in Puerto Rico and Greenland, connecting sea level rise science with coastal community realities. Documentary won Emmy Award 2025.
• George Mason University Data Analytics Engineering ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCaribbean Center for Rising Seas engaged as a 'client' for George Mason University students and professors to answer research questions and develop decision support tools for coastal adaptation.
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with NOAA Sea Grant College Program for green infrastructure workshop to reduce coastal hazards in Puerto Rico.
• National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPuerto Rico Public Health Institute is a member of NNPHI, participating in hurricane response hub and public health initiatives.
• Puerto Rico Sea Grant College ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted nature-based solutions workshop for coastal hazard reduction in collaboration with Conservación Costera (COCO PR) and NOAA.

Scale indicators21 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Georgia Research Alliance: Public-private partnership that recruits research talent, funds university research, and supports commercialization; structurally similar to PRSTRT's Research Grants, Catalyzer, and Tech Transfer Office.
• Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech): State-chartered economic-development organization running innovation grants, sector-focused programs, and ecosystem-building initiatives; mirrors PRSTRT's role as a multi-pillar state innovation administrator.
• Science Foundation Ireland: National agency funding oriented basic and applied research across life sciences, biotech, and ICT; directly comparable as a non-departmental public body that channels government money into research and talent development.
• NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority): State-level quasi-governmental R&D authority that administers grant programs, incubators, and commercialization initiatives; the closest U.S. functional analog to PRSTRT's structure as a government-backed innovation body.
• Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO): State-created technology economic-development corporation that funds early-stage companies, runs technology-transfer programs, and manages gap funding — directly comparable to PRSTRT's Parallel18, Colmena66, and SBIR/STTR matching.
• Connecticut Innovations: State-affiliated innovation vehicle providing capital, grants, and incubation to growth-stage startups; comparable in mission to PRSTRT's entrepreneurship and tech-transfer pillars.
• Ben Franklin Technology Partners: Pennsylvania state-supported technology-based economic development network funding startups and applied research; aligned with PRSTRT's combination of research funding, incubation, and SBIR matching.
• Science Foundation Arizona: Statewide science foundation funding research, STEM education, and technology commercialization; closely mirrors PRSTRT's four-pillar model of research, entrepreneurship, public health, and talent management.

Broad incumbents

• Battelle Memorial Institute: Large nonprofit R&D organization managing national laboratories and applied research for government clients; a broader analog to PRSTRT's Research Institute and federally-funded bioscience work.
• RTI International: Independent nonprofit research institute with biomedical, public-health, and applied-research practices; comparable to PRSTRT's clinical-research and public-health institutes at a substantially larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PRScienceTrust
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC944kXqMEhyAp1oJVGbyxnQ/playlists
• Facebookfacebook.com/PRScienceTechTrust
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/prsciencetechtrust
• Instagraminstagram.com/prsciencetrust1
• TikToktiktok.com/@prsciencetrust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments1 record

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Frequently asked questions about Puerto Rico Science Technology and Research Trust