START Program
Forecasted
START Program supports university researchers working with Samsung R&D teams on early-stage frontier technology research to develop innovations for future devices, services, and user experiences.
Funder: Samsung Research America
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Abstract proposal) | May 2027 (Full proposal)
Funding Amounts: Up to $150,000 per project for one year; renewal subject to review
Summary: START funds university-led frontier technology research in collaboration with Samsung R&D teams to advance future devices, services, and user experiences.
Key Information: Applicants must be university-affiliated professors or researchers, and their university must accept and sign the START Research Agreement.
Description
Samsung Research America’s START (Strategic Alliance for Research and Technology) program is an annual call supporting early-stage research with North American universities. It brings academic researchers together with Samsung R&D teams to identify emerging technologies and develop innovations for Samsung’s Device eXperience (DX) division. The program targets frontier work at Technology Readiness Levels 1–3, with potential applications across mobile technology, visual displays, digital appliances, and networking.
START provides sponsored research funding, resources, and guidance to develop practical, category-defining applications. Its broad interests include artificial intelligence, digital health, 6G, camera technology, multimedia, AR/VR, security, system on chip, big data, robotics, medical technology, and other emerging technologies. Projects outside specified call themes may also be considered if they demonstrate significant potential for Samsung’s future innovation and growth.
