UPR inaugurates ASTRE scientific incubator and receives $4M for technology center
Governor Jenniffer González Colón announced the additional funding from the Department of Economic Development and Commerce to complete the UPR Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer.
The short version
- La Perla reported that the Advanced Science and Technology Research and Entrepreneurship (ASTRE) incubator began operations on Thursday with seven equipped laboratories and four certified clean rooms in 20,000 square feet at the UPR Molecular Sciences Research Center
- WIPR reported that ASTRE was built with a nearly $20 million federal investment from the U.S. Economic Development Administration using post-hurricane Irma and María recovery funds
- All three outlets reported that the $4 million allocation will bring total funding for the UPRCITT to $11.9 million with construction slated to begin between November and December 2026 and inauguration in May 2028
- Metro Puerto Rico reported that ASTRE currently houses six resident companies and nine incubated through the UPR Center for Innovation and Commercialization working on cancer therapies, high-precision sensors and dental aligners
New facility opens at UPR
A scientific incubator named Advanced Science and Technology Research and Entrepreneurship (ASTRE) began operations on Thursday at the Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Moleculares of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR). La Perla reported the 20,000-square-foot facility on the fifth floor includes seven equipped laboratories, four certified clean rooms and shared workspaces for entrepreneurs. The clean rooms allow control of particles and contaminants for processes requiring specific environmental conditions.
According to WIPR, Governor Jenniffer González Colón inaugurated the incubator and announced a $4 million allocation from the Departamento de Desarrollo Económico y Comercio (DDEC) to complete the UPR Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer (UPRCITT) on the building's fourth floor. The governor said in a written statement that her vision is to develop and manufacture in Puerto Rico so that scientific discoveries can become companies, jobs and opportunities on the island.
What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Mi visión es clara, desarrollar en Puerto Rico y manufacturar en Puerto Rico. Queremos que los descubrimientos de nuestros científicos tengan aquí el espacio, los equipos y el apoyo para convertirse en empresas, empleos y oportunidades para nuestra gente.
Our translation: My vision is clear, develop in Puerto Rico and manufacture in Puerto Rico. We want our scientists' discoveries to have here the space, the equipment and the support to become companies, jobs and opportunities for our people.
The source's own statement, as quoted by La Perla. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Funding and timeline
Metro Puerto Rico reported that the UPRCITT project had received $7.9 million from the National Institutes of Health in September 2023 but needed additional resources. The new $4 million from DDEC brings combined investment to $11.9 million, allowing construction to start between November and December 2026 with an expected opening in May 2028 and preventing return of the federal grant.
The sources agree that ASTRE was funded with nearly $20 million in federal recovery funds after hurricanes Irma and María. Eduardo Nicolau, executive director of the Molecular Center, told reporters that ASTRE is a platform to connect scientific talent with industry, academia and investment to accelerate high-technology companies and strengthen the knowledge economy.
Current activity and goals
All outlets reported that ASTRE currently houses six resident companies and nine incubated by the UPR Center for Innovation and Commercialization. Projects include cancer therapies, high-precision sensors and dental aligners developed and manufactured in Puerto Rico. The four clean rooms have letters of intent for use and could generate nearly $990,000 annually at full capacity.
The Molecular Center maintains about 150 direct jobs, more than 40 doctoral researchers and over 200 students participating in research projects. Each incubated company generates or retains an average of five scientific jobs. The goal is to reach 80 to 100 percent occupancy by early 2027 and incubate 15 new companies by 2030. ASTRE's operational model aims to sustain itself through its own revenue without depending on government operating funds.
University leadership comments
UPR President Zayira Jordán Conde stated that the facilities offer students and researchers the chance to develop ideas and build professional futures in Puerto Rico. She emphasized connecting education, research and economic development.
Governor González Colón added that Puerto Rico has a recognized trajectory in manufacturing medicines and medical devices and is now expanding opportunities for innovations to be born and developed on the island so scientists do not have to leave.
Where the sources differ
All three sources agree on the inauguration date (Thursday or Oct. 8/9 reports), the $4 million DDEC allocation, the $11.9 million total for UPRCITT, the construction and inauguration timeline, the nearly $20 million federal investment for ASTRE, the number of laboratories and clean rooms, the current number of companies, the employment figures and the 80-100 percent occupancy goal by early 2027. La Perla gives the most detail on the Molecular Center's 150 jobs, 40+ doctoral researchers and 200 students. WIPR and Metro Puerto Rico include nearly identical quotes and background on the governor's prior support as resident commissioner. No major numerical conflicts exist.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not specify which six companies are currently resident in ASTRE or name the nine incubated projects beyond general categories. They provide no details on the exact cost of the full UPRCITT project beyond the combined $11.9 million or on how many additional jobs the new center is projected to create. The sources also do not address the specific rental rates for the clean rooms or the detailed business plan for reaching full self-sustainability through own-source revenue.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Gobernadora inaugura incubadora científica ASTRE y asigna $4 millones para ampliar el Centro Molecular de la UPR
- Reporting Inauguran incubadora científica en el Centro Molecular de la UPR
- Reporting Gobernadora inaugura incubadora científica ASTRE y asigna $4 millones para ampliar el Centro Molecular de la UPR
- Reporting Inauguran incubadora científica ASTRE en el Centro Molecular de la UPR
How we checked this
La Perla, WIPR and Metro Puerto Rico all covered the ASTRE inauguration and $4 million announcement on Oct. 8-9 2026. Figures on current employment, student participation, company job creation and future revenue potential rest primarily on information presented at the event and reported consistently across the outlets.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.