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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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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BrightEdge Entrepreneurs

  • Funding: $100K via SAFE in every company that is represented in the program
  • Topic: Therapeutic, diagnostic, medical device, and digital health innovations
  • Target audience: Postdoctoral scientists and/or early career researchers
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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 mmall 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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ChargeUp Accelerator

  • Target Audience: Startups developing next-gen solutions across the battery and energy storage value chain
  • Deadline: January 19th, 2026
  • Awards:
    $25,000 in participant support (non-dilutive)
    Up to $100,000 in technology development (non-dilutive)
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