Funding Available

Florida High Tech Corridor Funding

 

Florida High Tech Corridor Logo

An economic development initiative of three research universities – the University of Central Florida, the University of South Florida and the University of Florida – Florida High Tech Corridor converges and catalyzes the capacity of high tech, innovation and bright minds across a 23-county region to generate a global ripple effect that advances the lives of people in the communities it serves.

The Corridor offers multiple funding opportunities at the University of South Florida to support collaborative industry research, early-stage faculty innovation, undergraduate research and community grants.

The Corridor Matching Grant Research Program

The Matching Grant Research Program at the University of South Florida can provide up to $150,000 in matching grant funds for collaborative research projects between local industry partners and USF researchers, including Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funded projects. Corridor funding is used to expand the project's scope of work and support student involvement in cutting-edge research endeavors.

Please review the Program Guidelines for detailed information about the program.

Participation in the Matching Grants Research Program has become increasingly competitive. The program prioritizes funding for projects that:

  • Generate new intellectual property or technology
  • Develop and commercialize existing USF technology
  • Leverage federally funding through the SBIR/STTR or other programs
  • Align with USF’s strategic areas of focus
  • Align with the Corridor’s key industry clusters
  • Engage new participants in the program (industry and faculty)
  • Encourage research across colleges and/or across Corridor Universities
  • Provide a tangible impact for the industry partner in terms of revenue, sales, workforce expansion, etc.
  • Provide high-level, hands-on research experiences for our students and fellows

By focusing on these priorities, the program supports high-impact research benefiting local industry, the university, and our region.

If Corridor funds are awarded, a sponsored research agreement must be executed within three months of the Corridor award letter to ensure the availability of Corridor funds. The industry sponsor and PI must work directly with USF Sponsored Research and appropriate College staff to finalize and execute a research agreement.  

The Corridor Undergraduate Research Initiative

Undergrad Research Initiative

This pilot program will support meaningful research experiences for our Undergraduate students. Through the Corridor Undergraduate Research Initiative, each USF College may request up to $10,000 from the Florida High Tech Corridor to provide new and expanded research opportunities for their Undergraduate students.

Key Dates

  • SY2023-24:
    • October 6, 2023 - Proposals Due

SY2023-24 guidelines and application instructions are available for review here.

Please read about the inaugural awards supported through this program: USF Research & Innovation, Florida High Tech Corridor invest in undergraduate research across USF

 

The Corridor Early-Stage Innovation Fund

Early Stage Innovation Fund

This program will support early-stage innovations and applied research with significant commercial potential. These funds are meant to seed faculty-developed technologies that could lead to industry investment, start-up creation, and/or licensing opportunities. USF faculty may request up to $25,000 to support USF research expenses associated with the further development of the target innovation.

FY23 Funding Rounds are Now Closed. Information on future funding rounds and updated guidelines will be announced in Fall 2023. 

Please read about the inaugural awards supported through this program:

FY23 guidelines and application instructions are available for review here.

Community Grants

The Corridor invests critical seed funds and catalytic grants to start and scale projects that revolutionize the way we make and use technology, train next-generation STEM professionals and celebrate innovators whose technologies are positively transforming our world. The Corridor actively considers new investments in line with its mission and strategic pillars. Letters of inquiry are accepted on a rolling basis on the Corridor's website.

For more information, please contact:

Elizabeth Nelson
Program Director - Florida High Tech Corridor
813-974-3291
ernelson1@usf.edu