Strategic Initiatives

Strategic Partnership Accelerator Events

The RDI hosts Strategic Partnership Accelerator Events throughout the year—in close collaboration with USF CONNECT, the Florida High Tech Corridor, USF Technology Transfer, and the Office of Strategic Partnerships—to help researchers build deeper, action-oriented relationships with startups, industry partners, and community organizations.

Featured Events

Innovation at the Intersection

Two faculty members having a conversation

Innovation at the Intersection brings USF faculty together with USF CONNECT–affiliated startup companies working at the forefront of federal priorities and applied research. The series supports teams in navigating an evolving federal R&D landscape by helping translate broad national priorities into actionable, collaborative research pathways—linking academic expertise with industry-driven innovation already in motion.

Through curated matchmaking, competitive intelligence briefings, and structured engagement, participants connect around emerging challenges and opportunities, forming the foundation for interdisciplinary teams, joint proposals, and long-term partnerships.

Participants gain:

  • Targeted insight into federal priorities, policy updates, and funding opportunities
  • Direct access to researchers and startup partners actively working in applied, innovation-driven spaces
  • Curated matchmaking designed to spark new collaborations and proposal teams
  • Ongoing engagement opportunities through a recurring, quarterly series that builds momentum over time

By connecting people, ideas, and opportunity in a focused and intentional way, Innovation at the Intersection helps transform initial conversations into collaborative action—and positions teams to compete, innovate, and make an impact.

ALICE In Focus

An interior shot of a group of individuals having discussions, some are seated at desks while others stand

ALICE in Focus brings together researchers, nonprofit leaders, and community partners to explore how data-driven insights can inform real-world solutions to economic hardship. Centered on ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) data, this event creates a shared space to connect research expertise with on-the-ground community needs and develop collaborative, actionable strategies that drive sustainable, high-impact change. 

Participants Gain:

  • Insight into ALICE data and its implications for regional economic challenges
  • Connections with nonprofit and community leaders working to address real-world needs
  • Opportunities to align research with community priorities and co-develop impactful solutions
  • Direct pathways to USF support for advancing community-engaged research initiatives
     

Why Accelerator Events Matter

Strategic partnership events don’t stop at connection—they ignite forward movement. 

By bringing together the right mix of researchers, entrepreneurs, community organizations, and institutional partners, these convenings help move shared interests into strategic collaborations.They are an important part of RDI’s broader mission to support research development before the proposal stage—helping teams form early, align thoughtfully, and move toward action with greater clarity and purpose.

If you are looking to expand your network, explore collaborative pathways, or connect your research to external partners, reach out to the RDI today at rsch-rd-institute@usf.edu.