The North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research

What The North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research does

The North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research (NCABR) is a 501(c)-style nonprofit organization founded in 1989 and headquartered in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. It is the only nonprofit in the Southeastern United States dedicated exclusively to supporting bioscience researchers and advancing public understanding of their work. NCABR serves three primary constituencies: K-12 educators (workshops, curriculum, and the annual Bridging the Gap K-16 STEM education conference), bioscience researchers and institutional staff (IACUC, Three I's, and Rigor and Reproducibility conferences plus Member Conversations), and higher education faculty / STEM partners (grant proposal support and program dissemination).

The organization's core products are educational rather than technological. They include the Rx for Science Literacy workshop series (operating since 1994 and reaching 5,704+ K-12 teachers across 97 of North Carolina's 100 counties), the Rx for Science Literacy curriculum manual (2026 edition with a 134-page regenerative medicine chapter co-developed with Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine), Mapping Your Future: Careers in Biomanufacturing, and the Pathology and Forensic Science curriculum. A self-paced Biotechnology Research and Careers online course ($30-$85) extends the offering digitally and awards 1-2 CEUs. NCABR's distribution model relies on in-person workshops hosted at member research institutions, annual conferences, and self-serve online courses.

NCABR's revenue model combines recurring membership dues from institutional and affiliate members (five-tier affiliate structure from $500 to $10,000+), conference registration fees ($160-$895 depending on event, membership status, and timing), curriculum manual sales ($55-$208 print or free electronic), online course fees, and grants from Biogen Foundation, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, NSF, and NIH. The organization sells to three differentiated segments through community-led and event-driven GTM motions, relying on partnerships with Duke, UNC, Wake Forest, NC Biotech Center, Broad Institute, NIEHS, and the N.C. Department of Public Instruction to deliver programming and maintain state-level endorsement of its curriculum for the statewide Biomedical Technology course.

Name

The North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research

Legal name

The North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research

Website

https://ncabr.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research is a 1989-founded nonprofit that supports bioscience researchers and equips K-12 educators, higher education faculty, and member institutions across North Carolina through STEM workshops, curriculum resources, and the annual Bridging the Gap K-16 conference.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

STEM Education and Bioscience Outreach Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

Keywords

• STEM education
• Biomedical research
• K-12 curriculum
• Professional development
• Bioscience outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Institutional Membership Dues: Organizations conducting biomedical research pay membership dues based on a formula establishing a base level for the first year, adjusting with inflation in subsequent years. Membership is valid for the fiscal year (July 1 to June 30).
2. Affiliate Membership Dues: Organizations supporting North Carolina's bioscience research enterprise join at five tiers: Diamond ($10,000+), Platinum ($7,500-$9,999), Gold ($2,500-$7,499), Silver ($1,000-$2,499), Bronze ($500-$999) annually.
3. Conference Registration Fees: The Bridging the Gap conference charges registration fees ranging from $225-$390 for K-12 educators, $225-$520 for higher education and industry (member vs non-member pricing), and $235-$520 for government attendees. Early bird discounts apply before September 1.
4. IACUC Conference Registration: IACUC 2024 conference charged $425-$800 depending on membership status and attendance (1-day vs 2-day). Early bird pricing available through February 14, 2024.
5. Three I's Conference Registration: The national Three I's conference (Biosecurity & Research Integrity) priced at $730-$895 for early bird and regular registration periods, with 10% discount for three or more registrations from the same institution.
6. Rigor and Reproducibility Conference: Conference priced at $160-$310 depending on membership status and registration period. Virtual attendance available at member rates for those living 100+ miles away or outside North Carolina.
7. Curriculum Manual Sales: Rx for Science Literacy curriculum manual priced at $208 for print edition (2026 edition available). Mapping Your Future available as free electronic download or $55 for printed manual. Pathology & Forensic Science provided free electronically.
8. Online Course Fees: Biotechnology Research & Careers online course priced at $30 with PDF curriculum manual or $85 with printed manual. Course provides 10-20 contact hours (1-2 CEUs) upon completion over a 6-week self-paced window.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NCABR is a nonprofit membership organization that delivers STEM and bioscience education programming, including free K-12 teacher professional development workshops (Rx for Science Literacy), curriculum manuals, an annual K-16 STEM education conference (Bridging the Gap), online professional development courses, and researcher-focused conferences on topics such as IACUC administration, biosecurity, and rigor in animal studies. Programs are designed to advance public understanding of bioscience research and strengthen the STEM workforce pipeline in North Carolina.

Product overview

The North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research (NCABR) operates as a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of educational products and services rather than a single unified technology product. The core offerings include the Rx for Science Literacy Workshop Series (one-day professional development workshops since 1994) and the Bridging the Gap Conference (North Carolina's only K-16 STEM education conference since 2012). Curriculum products include the Rx for Science Literacy Curriculum Manual ($208), Mapping Your Future: Careers in Biomanufacturing ($55 print, free electronic), and Pathology & Forensic Science (free download). The Biotechnology Research & Careers Online Course ($30-$85) provides self-paced professional development with CEUs. Additional programs include Operation Outbreak (outbreak science simulation curriculum), STaRS Experience (NIEHS summer program), and researcher-focused conferences on IACUC administration, biosecurity, and rigor in animal studies. These products work together to advance public understanding of bioscience research through K-16 educators, researchers, and STEM partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rx for Science Literacy Workshop Series One-day professional development workshops for K-12 educators held at North Carolina research institutions since 1994. Educators tour facilities, hear from scientists, and receive free curriculum materials. Has trained 5,655+ teachers from 97 of NC's 100 counties.
• Bridging the Gap Conference North Carolina's only K-16 STEM education conference, founded in 2012, bringing together educators, business leaders, government officials and others to share ideas and resources to fortify and diversify the state's STEM workforce pipelines.
• Rx for Science Literacy Curriculum Manual (2026 Edition) K-12 curriculum resource for science educators covering biomedical research, animal care and use in medical science, and life science careers. The 2026 edition includes a 134-page regenerative medicine chapter covering AI and regenerative medicine, organoids, body-on-a-chip, and regenerative medicine in space.
• Mapping Your Future: Careers in Biomanufacturing A 190+ page supplemental curriculum manual for middle and high school educators focusing on career prospects in biomanufacturing. Free electronic download or $55 for printed manual.
• Pathology & Forensic Science Curriculum A 97-page curriculum supplement for North Carolina CTE educators featuring five units covering diagnostic services, autopsy, DNA analysis, applications of forensic science, and uncertainty in medical testing.
• Biotechnology Research & Careers Online Course A self-paced online professional development course for middle and high school educators to increase awareness of biotechnology research, its applications, and related career opportunities. Priced at $30 with PDF manual or $85 with printed manual.
• Operation Outbreak Curriculum A free, multidisciplinary outbreak science curriculum combining biology, epidemiology, public health, and social sciences to teach infectious disease outbreaks through a Bluetooth-based viral simulation tool.
• Rigor and Reproducibility in Animal Studies Conference A conference promoting important concepts of translational value, rigor, and reproducibility in animal research, addressing investigator and institutional responsibilities and NIH expectations.
• Three I's: Biosecurity & Research Integrity Conference A national conference focusing on Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC), Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBC), and Institutional Review Boards (IRB).
• IACUC Administration Conference Conferences focusing on best practices for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees, bringing together administrative personnel, researchers, and animal care staff to learn about fundamentals and advanced topics in animal care programs.
• Member Conversations Periodic member meetings held since 2015 addressing timely topics of interest including controlled substances, MOUs, IACUCs, security issues, and COVID-19 impacts on research communities.
• STaRS Experience A one-week professional development program designed and conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) for middle and high school science teachers and community college instructors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,425+ Bridging the Gap attendees since 2012, with 4,180+ attending by 2025 and 4,420+ by 2026
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with WFIRM to develop the 134-page regenerative medicine chapter in the 2026 Rx for Science Literacy curriculum manual, covering ethical/societal issues, AI applications, space-based research, organoids, and body-on-a-chip technologies. WFIRM scientists present at NCABR workshops and collaborate on the NSF Regenerative Medicine Engine of North Carolina.
• Broad Institute of MIT and HarvardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to run Operation Outbreak simulation and vaccine education tools throughout North Carolina, including teacher training workshops and integration into the 2026 Bridging the Gap conference. Operation Outbreak is a multidisciplinary outbreak science curriculum developed by the Broad Institute.
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIEHS designed and conducted the STaRS (Science, Teachers, and Research Summer) Experience for nearly a decade, with NCABR providing promotional and program management support. NCABR continues supporting NIEHS outreach through the Speakers Bureau and professional development for middle/high school science teachers.
• Society of ToxicologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSOT partnered with NCABR to create the North Carolina Higher Education Faculty and Mentor Network, a three-year outreach program (2019-2023) to undergraduate science educators. The program was part of SOT's Strategic Plan to increase science communication influence, coordinated with SOT NC Regional Chapter and FUTURE Committee.
• N.C. Department of Public InstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCABR has worked with NCDPI for three decades to provide cutting-edge science and bioscience career information to North Carolina classrooms. Rx for Science Literacy is the primary curriculum resource for the statewide Biomedical Technology course taught in NC public high schools.
• Elon UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElon University is partnering with NCABR to host its inaugural Rx for Science Literacy workshop in collaboration with WFIRM on November 12, 2026, featuring the updated regenerative medicine curriculum chapter.
• Appalachian State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAppalachian State University partners with NCABR for Operation Outbreak workshop on September 17, 2026, featuring faculty presentations and tours of the Mathematics and Science Education Center.
• Duke University School of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDuke partners with NCABR for workshops including Weight Management research presentations and hosting the Rigor and Reproducibility in Animal Studies 2026 conference at Duke's Hock Auditorium.
• UNC School of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNC School of Medicine partners with NCABR for UNC Cancer Research and Clinical Pathology Day workshops, providing scientist presentations and hands-on activities for educators.
• North Carolina Biotechnology CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNC Biotech Center is the venue for annual Bridging the Gap conferences and partners on curriculum initiatives including NIIMBL bioLOGIC project-based learning programs for life sciences careers.
• Biogen FoundationcoreOthersBiogen Foundation generously funded the comprehensive update of Rx for Science Literacy curriculum in 2021 and Mapping Your Future curriculum in 2014. Foundation also supports the Biotechnology Research & Careers online course.
• Burroughs Wellcome FundcoreOthersBurroughs Wellcome Fund is among the funding sources for successful STEM education grant requests that NCABR supports through grant development and dissemination assistance.
• National Science FoundationcoreOthersNSF provides funding for STEM education grants that NCABR supports through grant development and dissemination. NSF Regenerative Medicine Engine in North Carolina (Award #2315654) funds regenerative medicine workshops.
• National Institutes of HealthcoreOthersNIH provides funding for STEM education grants that NCABR supports through grant development and dissemination assistance for K-12 STEM education programs.
• BioNetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBioNetwork supports N.C. Science Festival at community colleges and partners on professional development for biotechnology educators.
• The Science House (NCSU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Science House at NC State partners on STEM education programming including biophysics with 3D materials, AI in K-12 science classrooms, and N.C. Science Olympiad connections.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Science Teaching Association (NSTA): National professional association serving K-12 science educators with conferences, publications, and PD. Comparable to NCABR's K-12 teacher audience and professional development mission at a much larger national scale.
• National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT): National professional association for biology educators offering PD resources, conferences, and curriculum guidance. Comparable audience to NCABR's K-12 audience but at much larger national scale.
• National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR): National federation that advocates for biomedical research and supports member state associations including NCABR. Operates a broader advocacy mission at federal level while NCABR is the state-level service provider.
• AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science): Large national scientific society running major public engagement and science education programs. Comparable mission to NCABR's public-understanding-of-science work, but at vastly larger scale and broader scope.
• HHMI BioInteractive: Free, high-quality bioscience education resources and teacher PD from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Overlaps NCABR's K-12 bioscience curriculum and workshop offerings, but as a much larger national foundation-backed initiative.

Regional players

• Biocom California: California life-sciences industry association with K-12 STEM education, workforce development, and advocacy programs. Comparable state-level biotech/education scope to NCABR.
• MassBio (Massachusetts Biotechnology Council): Massachusetts-based state life-sciences industry association with advocacy, education, and workforce development programs serving employers and educators. Comparable state-level biotech/education mission to NCABR but in a different geography.
• MichBio: Michigan statewide biosciences industry association with education and workforce development initiatives. Comparable state/regional model combining biotech industry advocacy and STEM education.

Direct peers

• BSCS (Biological Sciences Curriculum Study): Nonprofit that develops biology curriculum materials and teacher professional development programs. Comparable to NCABR's Rx for Science Literacy and Mapping Your Future curriculum manuals in subject matter, depth, and educator audience.
• New England Society for Biomedical Research (NESBR): State/regional biomedical research nonprofit that co-presents the national Three I's Biosecurity & Research Integrity conference with NCABR. Operates the same dual mission of supporting research institutions and providing K-12 bioscience education resources.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NCABR
• Facebookfacebook.com/NCABR
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/north-carolina-association-for-biomedical-research

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research