SPROUT Awards

Cornell Engineering launched the SPROUT (Support for Promising Research Opportunities and Unconventional Teams) Awards program in 2022 to support recently emerged collaborations. This funding opportunity aims to support teams of investigators with demonstrated collaborative success who are pursuing novel research at the intersection of multiple fields. It is expected that this investment will result in submission of a proposal to an external agency.
Sprout Awards
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Review the full call for 2025 SPROUT proposals.

Summer SPROUTs will be offered again this year, with an application deadline of April 7. We offer a limited number of awards that each fund the summer stipend of one graduate student currently supported by a sponsored award. Consistent with the spirit of the standard SPROUT program, the work must be collaborative and closely aligned with one of Cornell Engineering’s priority research directions.

Apply

Submission form for Summer SPROUT proposals (Deadline: April 7, 2025)

Submission form for new and renewal SPROUT proposals (Deadline: April 22, 2025)

Past Announcements

  • Sprout Awards grow ‘exciting’ pilot projects in engineering

    From new approaches for tendon injury treatment to biomass-based construction materials, Cornell Engineering’s inaugural Sprout Awards are funding unique research projects with the potential to grow partnerships across Cornell.

  • Sprout Awards spring collaborative engineering research

    From exploring the mechanics of early-stage bone metastasis to analyzing price formation policies in wholesale electricity markets, Cornell Engineering’s Sprout Awards are funding unique research projects with the potential to grow partnerships across Cornell.

  • SPROUT Awards support 6 novel research collaborations

    From exploring the mechanics of early-stage bone metastasis to analyzing price formation policies in wholesale electricity markets, Cornell Engineering’s Sprout Awards are funding unique research projects with the potential to grow partnerships across Cornell.

Frequently Asked Questions

These FAQs were updated in March 2025 and only cover standard SPROUT awards. For questions about the Summer SPROUTs program, please email Amie Prince, chief of staff for Cornell Engineering, at ajp246@cornell.edu.

  • What projects are eligible for SPROUT funding?

    Support for Promising Research Opportunities and Unconventional Teams (SPROUT) awards provide financial assistance for interdisciplinary projects that were submitted to an outside agency, reviewed well, but were ultimately not selected for funding. Evidence of a positive review must be presented. Support will also be considered for collaborative projects that resulted in publication of a peer-reviewed article since 2023. However, priority will be given to projects in the former category.

  • Can I participate in more than one proposal?

    No, each faculty member can only appear on one SPROUT application.

  • What is the due date?

    Proposals are due by April 22, 2025. Summer proposals due by April 7, 2025.

  • Can I submit to this opportunity as well as other internal funding programs (e.g., New Frontiers, FAST)?

    Yes, this is encouraged and will not count against you.

  • Can I apply for a second round of funding if my first sprout proposal was supported?

    Yes, please see the submission link and instructions below.

  • Do all researchers need to be in Cornell Engineering?

    Only the lead PI needs to have an appointment in Cornell Engineering.

  • Can all investigators be from the same department?

    Yes, but the case for interdisciplinary work must be strong. All investigators must have Cornell appointments; this is an internal funding opportunity.

  • How much funding is available?

    This year, a full SPROUT award will cover the cost of a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. For teams that are entirely located on the Ithaca campus, an additional $2,500 will be allocated for expenses. An expense allocation of $5,000 is available for collaborations that span multiple Cornell campuses. There is no need to create a budget. On the Qualtrics form, simply indicate whether you would like to apply for a full SPROUT award. You may also select a half SPROUT award, which would cover half a GRA and $1,250 in expenses for Ithaca-based teams or $2,500 in expenses for cross-campus teams. There is no Facilities and Administrative (F&A) support for these internal projects.

  • What is the funding period?

    For this full cycle, the award period runs from July 2025 through June 2026. Summer runs from May 2025 through August 2025.

  • How much detail should I provide in the budget?

    No budget is required, simply check the box on the Qualtrics form.

  • How do I apply?

    Please read the full call for SPROUT proposals for application instructions and submit your proposal via the online form linked to at the top of this page.

  • More questions?

    Please email engr-research@cornell.edu with SPROUT/Summer SPROUT in the subject line.

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