Innovation Acceleration Grant
Cornell University's Innovation Acceleration Grant funds proof-of-concept research to advance early-stage inventions from the lab toward commercial readiness.
Funder: Cornell University
Due Dates: November 6, 2026 (Full application) | December 10, 2026 (Pre-recorded presentation)
Funding Amounts: Up to $50,000 per project; 12–16 projects funded annually; one-year duration typical.
Summary: Supports Cornell researchers in advancing early-stage inventions toward commercialization via proof-of-concept projects.
Key Information: Technology must be disclosed to CTL; only one application per PI/lab per cycle.
Description
The Innovation Acceleration grant, part of Cornell University's Ignite: Research Lab to Market series and managed by the Center for Technology Licensing (CTL), provides targeted gap funding for proof-of-concept projects. The program is designed to help Cornell researchers bridge the gap between early-stage invention and market readiness, enabling advancement of promising technologies, reducing commercialization risk, and achieving critical milestones that can attract licensing, startup activity, or industry partnerships. The initiative aims to facilitate the successful transition of innovations from the lab to real-world application.
