Learn more about external funding opportunities such as grants, awards and competitions open to Cornell University innovators, researchers and early-stage ventures.

For Researchers

Mark Foundation ASPIRE Awards

Funding: $250K – $750K
Topic: Cancer research
Audience: Principal investigators (PI)

Ongoing

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Emily's Entourage 2026 Translational Grant

Funding: $1,000 – $200,000 (up to 2 years)
Topic: Cystic fibrosis treatments for patients not benefiting from CFTR modulator therapies — gene editing, genetic therapy delivery, ASO, small molecules, phage therapy, and anti-infectives
Audience: Researchers with projects advancing toward clinical development (preclinical translation through first-in-human pathways)

Due date: November 15, 2026

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ARPA-H SURPASS

Funding: Awards over 5 years, covering trial costs for up to five drug arms
Topic: Faster, lower-cost clinical trials that combine AI, simulation, and real-time analysis into a single phaseless platform
Audience: Academia, industry, nonprofits with expertise in biostatistics, AI, clinical operations, and regulatory affairs
Requirement: Teams must include at least two for-profit drug sponsors, three drug arms, and six clinical sites. A solution summary is required before a full pitch.

Due date: November 30, 2026

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The Genesis Mission: Transforming Science and Energy with AI

Funding: Phase I: $500K–$750K (9 months); Phase II: $6M–$15M (3 years)
Topic: AI models that accelerate discovery in energy, manufacturing, biotech, critical materials, nuclear, quantum, and microelectronics
Audience: Interdisciplinary teams from universities, national labs, and industry
Requirement: Teams address one of DOE’s national science and technology challenges. Successful models may join the American Science Cloud.

Due date: December 17, 2026

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UIDP Industry-Integrated PhD (I-PhD) Scholars Program

Funding: $75K per year in Years 2–4 ($37K stipend) from industry and NSF co-funding
Topic: STEM doctoral training that integrates dissertation research with industry experience
Audience: U.S. university–industry partnerships supporting STEM PhD students (U.S. citizens or permanent residents)
Requirement: Industry contributes at least $100K per student, and the university funds Year 1. Students spend at least one year at the industry site.

Due date: January 15, 2027

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Cornell Research & Innovation

Looking for Cornell-internal funding? Several Cornell entities offer opportunities for faculty, postdocs, and students.

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For Startups

America’s Seed Fund SBIR/STTR

Funding: Up to $2M
Topic: Deep technology R&D
Audience: Startups and small businesses

Ongoing

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America’s Seed Fund Project Pitches

Funding:  Up to $2M
Topic: Scalable products and services
Audience: Startups and small businesses

Ongoing

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D-Prize

Funding: $20K

Topic: Social entrepreneurship

Audience: NGOs and early-stage ventures

Ongoing

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2030 Fund

Funding: $100K – $1.5M

Topic: Climate tech

Audience: Seed and early-stage startups (based in Massachusetts)

Ongoing

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NYS Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)

Topic: Legal support + accounting guidance + financial advising

Audience: Very small businesses (VSB) and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI)

Ongoing

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MedTech Innovator Vantage Non-Dilutive Funding

Funding: $50K – $200K

Topic: Diagnostics and medical devices

Audience: Startups and university-backed projects

Due date: October 15, 2026

Apply now →