ÉîÒ¹¿´Æ¬

Corridor Matching Grants Research Program

The Corridor’s Matching Grants Research Program (MGRP) is an investment in innovation. Through this program, The Corridor co-invests in industry-sponsored research projects led by ÉîÒ¹¿´Æ¬ faculty. By matching industry contributions, The Corridor strengthens partnerships that accelerate applied research, foster student engagement, and deliver real-world impact. 

This program can be leveraged to complement industry-university research collaborations supported through SBIR/STTR programs. 

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

Key Points

Funding Amount: The Corridor may award up to $150,000 per project to match the industry partner’s direct investment in research at the University. Corridor funds are awarded to the university research team. No funding is provided directly to the industry partner. 

Who Applies: University faculty serves as the Principal Investigator and submits the proposal in partnership with the eligible industry partner. It is a collaborative research submission between industry and university.

Who Benefits:
- Industry partners gain access to specialized faculty expertise and advanced research capabilities, while cultivating the future workforce. 
- University faculty benefit through expanded research impact, industry engagement, and real-world problem alignment.
- Students receive hands-on experience in applied research projects tied directly to industry challenges.

Eligibility: Industry partners must have a presence in the . The project must represent a true, mutually beneficial research collaboration between the industry partner and a participating university.

Student Engagement: All projects must include student participation. Graduate and undergraduate students are actively involved in the research effort - gaining practical experience, exposure to industry, and opportunities to apply their academic expertise to real-world challenges. 

Research Focus: The program supports applied, solution-driven R&D aligned both with industry partner need and university strengths. 

Impact

University-Aligned Innovation: Projects support strategic research priorities at USF

Talent Pipeline: Students gain hands-on experience and often transition into full-time roles with industry partners

Commercialization Potential: Many projects lead to intellectual property, licensing, and new product development

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Encouraged across departments and institutions

Real-World Results: Past projects have led to new manufacturing processes, advanced materials, medical technologies, and software solutions that directly benefit industry partners

---

Program staff can help facilitate connections between interested industry partners and university researchers. 

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 ÉîÒ¹¿´Æ¬ Sponsored Programs and appropriate College staff to finalize and execute a research agreement.