Pat & Shirley Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund
Internal — Northwestern University only
The Pat & Shirley Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund at Northwestern University supports innovative life sciences research aimed at rapid commercialization and societal impact.
Funder: Northwestern University
Due Dates: March 1, 2027 (Biannual) | September 1, 2027 (Biannual) | March 1, 2026 | September 1, 2026
Funding Amounts: Typically $100,000–$300,000 for one year; total annual fund ~$4.375 million (FY25); other amounts considered with justification.
Summary: Supports Northwestern University faculty with seed grants to accelerate commercialization of high-potential life sciences research with immediate societal impact.
Key Information: Only projects without current external support are eligible; PI must be NU faculty.
Description
The Pat & Shirley Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund provides biannual seed grants to Northwestern University faculty to catalyze the commercialization of innovative, high-potential research in the life sciences, engineering, and medicine. The fund addresses the "valley of death" in research translation, supporting projects that are not yet ready for external (private sector or government) translational funding but have significant potential for societal impact and commercial viability. Priority areas include drug discovery, sensing and measurement, rehabilitation, regenerative medicine, surgery and transplantation, artificial intelligence, and computational sciences. The program aims to position projects for future external investment and rapid societal benefit.
