Learn more about external funding opportunities open for Cornell University innovators and entrepreneurs.

For Researchers

The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research ASPIRE Awards

  • Funding: ASPIRE I Awards ($250K), ASPIRE II Awards ($750K)
  • Target audience: Principal Investigators with innovative ideas that have the potential to solve high-impact problems in cancer research,
  • Applications deadline: Ongoing
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NVIDIA Academic Grant Program

The NVIDIA Academic Grant Program is requesting proposals from academic researchers who are working in the following areas: Simulation and Modeling

NSF National Quantum Virtual Laboratory – Quantum Testbeds (NQVL)

Supports individual investigators proposing innovative research that addresses fundamental or applied areas, stimulates new industries, enhances national leadership, and tackles significant challenges, especially in priority fields such as artificial intelligence, bioengineering, quantum engineering, robotics, and nuclear engineering.

  • Letter of intent Due Date: Jan 20, 2026
  • Preliminary Proposal Due Date: March 10, 2026
  • Deadline: July 24, 2026
  • More information

2026 Academic Venture Fund

  • Award amount: $150,000.
  • Target Audience: For Cornell Researchers
  • Area of interest: Increasing Food Security, Reducing Climate Risk, Accelerating Energy Transitions, Advancing One Health
  • Deadline: March 9 at 5 pm ET: Full proposals due
  • More information 

FFAR New Innovator in Food & Agriculture Research Award

  • Amount: FFAR up to $150,000/year for max. 3 years
  • Target audience: FFAR grants New Innovator Awards to faculty members in a tenure-track position no longer than three years and who are within eight years of receiving their Ph.D.
  • Areas of interest: Production Systems (animal, crop and integrated crop-animal), Agroecosystems, Novel food processes and products, address critical scientific workforce shortages.
  • Deadline: March 18, 2026 at 5 p.m. EDT
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Unsolicited Research Program by the Water Research Foundation (WRF)

  • Amount: Individual project awards range from $50,000 to $200,000.
  • Target audience: Researchers and research teams proposing novel, transformative research that significantly advances the science of water or moves existing research toward practical, implementable solutions.
  • Areas of interest: Novel and transformative research that:
    – Advances scientific understanding of water systems.
    – Addresses issues of regional and national significance.
    – Pilots innovative technologies.
    – Focuses on drinking water, wastewater, recycled water, and stormwater research challenges.
  • Deadline: March 26, 2026 for pre-proposals
  • More information 

Cornell Research & Innovation

  • Several Cornell entities have funding opportunities for which individuals at Cornell can apply. The list provides summaries of many of these opportunities. Details may be found by following the links and the program contacts can provide more information.
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For Startups

America’s Seed Fund SBIR/STTR

  • Funding: Up to $2 Million in seed funding
  • Target audience: Startups developing deep technologies
  • Applications deadline: Ongoing
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America’s Seed Fund Project Pitches

  • Funding: Up to $2 Million in seed funding
  • Target audience: Small businesses and startups looking for research and development funding to create new products, services, or other scalable solutions
  • Application deadline: Ongoing
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D-Prize

  • Funding: $20K to start new organizations fighting poverty in low-income countries
  • Topic: Social Entrepreneurship
  • Target audience: NGO and early-stage ventures worldwide
  • Application deadline: Ongoing
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2030 Fund

  • Target Audience: Seed and early-stage climatetech startups based in Massachusetts
  • Deadline:Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
  • Awards: $100k to $1.5M
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NYS Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Program

  • Target Audience: Very small businesses (VSB) and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI)
  • Deadline:Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
  • Services provided:Legal Support + Accounting Guidance + Financial Advising
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The 2026 AIM-HI – BACE Award Venture Competition

  • Type: Competition
  • Target Audience: Early-stage companies worldwide seeking pre-seed, seed, and Series A
  • Area of interest: Oncology
  • Deadline: March 15, 2026
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The 2026 AIM-HI – BACE Award Venture Competition

  • Type: Competition
  • Target Audience: Women-led companies seeking pre-seed, seed, and Series A
  • Area of interest: Oncology
  • Deadline: March 15, 2026
  • More information

Urban Future Prize Competition

  • Amount: $50,000 cash prizes (non-dilutive funding)
  • Target audience: Climatetech founders
  • Areas of interest: Climate Mitigation (Renewable Energy, Smart Grid, Industrial Decarbonization, etc.) and Climate Adaptation (Heat Resistant Material, Advanced Warning Solutions, Public Health, Food Security, etc.).
  • Deadline: April 27th, 2026
  • More information 

Falling Walls Global Call for Science Breakthroughs 2026

  • Type: Pitch competition at a Summit in Berlin from 6 to 9 November 2026
  • Target Audience: start-ups of less than 5 years old that are based on scientific research with a prototype/proof of concept.
  • Area of interest: All scientific disciplines
  • Deadline: April 15, 2026
  • More information