Innovation Acceleration

Applications open September 7, 2026 — deadline November 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET
Stay tuned →

Program Overview

Ignite Innovation Acceleration is one of the three Ignite signature programs. Funding is provided in form of grants to labs to advance inventions toward licensing, startup formation or industry partnerships. The program is open to inventions that have been disclosed to CTL from Ithaca, Geneva or Cornell Tech campuses. Two application cycles per year in the spring or fall semester.

Annually 12-16 projects will be awarded, mostly in the funding range up to $50K. A limited number of projects may be invited for a second tranche.

 

Eligibility

Who qualifies

  • Faculty, research staff, and graduate students with Cornell innovations
  • Ithaca, Geneva, and Cornell Tech campuses
  • Technologies must be disclosed to CTL prior to applying

Additional requirements

  • Previously funded CTAM or Ignite projects are eligible for additional funding when justified
  • One application per eligible PI or faculty research lab per cycle
  • Weill Cornell campus technologies can apply to the Catalyst Fund managed by the Enterprise Innovation Office

Applications

Applications are accepted during one of two cycles per year held in the Spring and Fall. CTL coordinates communications about the application cycle and offers information sessions throughout the open application period. You may submit applications through the CTL website via the InfoReady software platform.

 

DOWNLOAD INFO

Application process

Step one: call for proposals
  • Two cycles: Spring & Fall
  • Marketed to Ithaca and Cornell Tech campuses for inventors to apply
  • Info sessions and application support
step two: external advisor review
  • Proposals reviewed by external Technology Advisors
  • Applicants submit presentation recording in preparation for Committee selection
step three: committee selection
  • Applicants meet the committee for Q&A
  • The committee selects projects for funding
  • For Prime projects, 2nd tranche decision
step four: work and impact
  • 12-month long project
  • Progress and final reports
  • Showcase results
  • Track impact

Fall 2026 key dates

Applications open

September 7, 2026

Applications deadline

November 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Pre-recorded presentation due

December 10, 2026

Committee Q&A session

January 8, 2027 (tentative)

Info Sessions

📅 All info sessions are at 12:00 PM (ET) and held virtually:

Info session 1: September 18. Register here.
Info session 2: October 9. Register here.
Info session 3: October 30. Register here.

Application opening Fall 2026

Contact

Aaron Delahanty

Aaron Delahanty
Manager, Technology Acceleration & Venture

abd99@cornell.edu