Fast Forward Medical Innovation

We offer resources, support, and mentorship to world-class biomedical researchers at the University of Michigan, and across the state. 

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The Front Door to Biomedical Commercialization

Our mission at Fast Forward Medical Innovation (FFMI) is to provide the expertise and knowledge to help access and navigate the unparalleled biomedical innovation resources at the University of Michigan.

Whether you’re a student, faculty, potential collaborator, or industry partner, we encourage you to connect with a Fast Forward Medical Innovation team member to explore our program's unique offerings and find your path to groundbreaking innovation.

FFMI is part of a rich ecosystem of opportunities available to biomedical researchers at the University of Michigan. Together with our collaborators, we work to create a robust network of resources that help drive innovation to successful commercialization. The FFMI team is here to provide mentorship and guidance to the abundant funding, education, and support structure resources that will benefit your research. We look forward to working with you!

Frequently Used Links
  • FFMI fastPACE
  • Partner Program - Frankel Cardiovascular Center
  • Biotech Career Development Program
  • Innovation Partnerships
  • Center for Entrepreneurship
  • MTRAC Innovation Hub for Life Sciences
  • Frankel Innovation Initiative
  • Zell Lurie Institute
  • MICHR
    • faculty member typing on computer inside office
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    New! Industry-Ready Webinar Series

    The Industry-Ready webinar series provides faculty and staff with practical guidance on how to effectively engage with industry partners.

    Through sessions led by experienced faculty, industry professionals, and university experts, participants will learn how collaborations are structured, what industry looks for in academic partners, and how to navigate agreement types, intellectual property, and institutional resources.

    Commercialization Education

    Dynamic educational resources for biomedical innovators to nurture entrepreneurship and groundbreaking research

    Mentorship & Funding

    Idea consultations to explore how your research can translate out of the university, including opportunities for funding

    Innovation Portfolio

    Searchable database of research expertise across the University of Michigan

    Business Development

    Business catalyst, building successful relationships between U-M biomedical researchers and corporate partners

    Michigan Biomedical Venture Fund

    Investments in biomedical startup companies with U-M licensed IP in the domain of therapeutics, devices, diagnostics, or health IT

    Meet the Team

    Experienced team members provide support, mentorship, and guidance

    FFMI oncology course
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    Apply Today! Oncology Drug Discovery & Development (3D) Workshop

    Fast Forward Medical Innovation and Pfizer are offering an educational, one-day program to provide participants with an interactive, team-based learning experience of the drug discovery and development process.
    woman in lab with microscope
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    Drug Discovery and Development Course

    The Drug Discovery and Development Course, a virtual, self-paced course, teaches participants the individual steps and critical stages for any drug discovery project, with a particular focus on projects being conducted within the academic environment at the University of Michigan.
    Photo of a woman sitting in front of a laptop looking at the large team grant sharepoint website
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    Frankel Cardiovascular Center Innovation Webinars

    Presented by the Frankel CVC and FFMI, the this webinar series aims to educate on topics of interest regarding cardiovascular innovation, encourage innovative thinking, and connect the community with resources to help further the advancement of ideas.
    FFMI Cagri Besirli lab
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    Tool Helps Facilitate Collaboration with Industry

    The FFMI BD team's Collaborator Hub is designed to showcase faculty to potential industry partners. Collaborators can use this searchable database to find U-M faculty members whose expertise aligns with their needs.
    FFMI fastpace spotlight image
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    Fall Cohort Registration Available Soon!

    FFMI fastPACE is a virtual, project-based, experiential course designed to help academics launch new innovations, including medical devices/diagnostics, digital solutions, drugs, educational/training interventions, research tools, and many others.
    FFMI Innovation Studio
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    Innovation Studio Offers Project-based Consultations- Next Session is Tuesday, July 21

    Innovation Studio participants will get the chance to engage and consult with experts from Fast Forward Medical Innovation and the broader University of Michigan entrepreneurship network.
    aerial photo of the medical school campus

    Fast Forward Medical Innovation

    Our Impact
    2025 was another record-breaking year of biomedical innovation at the University of Michigan, and Fast Forward Medical Innovation is thrilled to be part of the rich ecosystem of innovation resources that contributed to this impressive accomplishment.
    View Our 2025 Impact Report
    918
    faculty, staff, and trainee participants in commercialization education programs from U-M and across the state
    $147M
    Industry Research Awards
    286
    Invention Reports
    350M+
    follow-on investment (in 21 portfolio startups)
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    Questions?

    Contact Us

    Fast Forward Medical Innovation
    University of Michigan Medical School
    Ann Arbor, Michigan

    Phone: 734-615-5060

    About Us
    Fast Forward Medical Innovation is a unit of the Medical School Office of Research, where our mission is to foster an environment of innovation and efficiency that serves the Michigan Medicine research community and supports biomedical science from insight to impact.

    Upcoming Research Events

     All Office of Research Events

    The Funding Forum
    Join the Grant Services and Analysis Research Development (RD) team on Zoom every third Thursday at 2:00 pm for the Funding Forum – a 60-minute session designed to help UMMS faculty gain an advantage in grant seeking and proposal development.
    Event runs May 21, 2026 - December 17, 2026

    Principles of Spectral Flow Cytometry Lunch and Learn
    Join the BRCF Research Store, the BRCF Flow Cytometry Core, and Thermo Fisher Scientific to learn about spectral flow cytometry. Enjoy a complimentary lunch.

    Research-Clinical Collaborations for Whole Genome Sequencing
    Join the Central Biorepository (CBR) for a virtual session exploring how interdepartmental collaborations among the Michigan Genomics Initiative (MGI), CBR, AI & Digital Health Innovation (AI&DHI), and Pathology’s division of Diagnostic Genetics & Genomics (DGG) are creating a win-win for investigators advancing genomic research and clinical care at Michigan Medicine.

    FFMI Industry-Ready Webinar Series: Agreement Types and When to Use Them
    "Agreement Types and When to Use Them" provides a practical overview of the most common agreement structures used in academic–industry collaborations.

    The Funding Forum
    Join the Grant Services and Analysis Research Development (RD) team on Zoom every third Thursday at 2:00 pm for the Funding Forum – a 60-minute session designed to help UMMS faculty gain an advantage in grant seeking and proposal development.
    Event runs May 21, 2026 - December 17, 2026

    FFMI Industry-Ready Webinar Series: IP, Data, and Publications in Industry-Sponsored Research
    "IP, Data, and Publications in Industry-Sponsored Research" explores the key considerations around intellectual property, data management, and publication rights in industry collaborations.

    New England Biolabs Product Showcase
    Join the BRCF Research Store and New England Biolabs to learn about products, including what's new. Enjoy coffee, donuts, and giveaways!

    Oncology Drug Discovery & Development (3D) Workshop
    Fast Forward Medical Innovation and Pfizer offer an educational, one-day program to provide participants with an interactive, team-based learning experience of the drug discovery and development process. Apply by Wednesday, July 1!

    The Funding Forum
    Join the Grant Services and Analysis Research Development (RD) team on Zoom every third Thursday at 2:00 pm for the Funding Forum – a 60-minute session designed to help UMMS faculty gain an advantage in grant seeking and proposal development.
    Event runs May 21, 2026 - December 17, 2026

    Featured Research News

     All Office of Research News     A BRCF Flow Cytometry Instrument
    Office of Research

    BRCF Flow Cytometry Service Enhancements Coming July 1

    The BRCF Flow Cytometry Core is introducing a new billing structure that provides researchers with greater transparency, precision, and control over their spending.
         BRCF Fourth of July 2026 Closures
    Office of Research

    BRCF Core Closures for the 4th of July Holiday 2026

    In observance of Independence Day, several cores will be closed on July 3 or have adjusted hours for sample submissions and special orders.
         Chang Kim
    Office of Research

    Chang Kim is the Next BRCF Flow Cytometry Core Faculty Director

    Chang Kim, Ph.D., was recently appointed faculty director of the BRCF Flow Cytometry Core. He brings expertise in cytometry, imaging, and leadership.