Accelerating Collaborative Research + Innovation

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.

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 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 Corridor’s 23-county region. The project must represent a mutually beneficial research collaboration between the industry partner and a participating university. University Program Directors can advise on university-specific eligibility and compliance requirements.

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

Industry partners and university researchers collaborate on a project plan and develop the MGRP proposal and budget to enhance the industry-sponsored project. Proposals are reviewed by Program Staff to ensure alignment with university guidelines and the Corridor’s program criteria and are shared with a committee of professionals and regional stakeholders for additional review.

Program Directors can help facilitate connections between interested industry partners and university researchers. A sponsored research agreement must be executed between the industry partner and University to formalize the research project. 

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

University-Aligned Innovation: Projects support strategic research priorities at UCF and 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