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. Applications are currently being accepted for the 2025 Expanded SPROUT Awards, which encourage the expansion of our research footprint at a time of potentially limited federal support.
Sprout Awards
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Read

Review the full call for 2025 Expanded SPROUT proposals.

Apply

Submission form for Expanded SPROUT proposals (Deadline: June 1, 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. Expanded SPROUT Awards will consider these factors while prioritizing research that has been paused due to a stop-work order or other federal action and has not been addressed through the College’s support for untenured faculty members.

  • Can I apply for an Expanded SPROUT award if I already applied for a standard SPROUT award?

    Expanded SPROUTs funding is intended to support collaborative projects that span the College’s priority research directions and meet any of the following three criteria:

    • The project was submitted to an outside agency, reviewed well, but was ultimately not selected for funding.
    • The project resulted in a collaborative, peer-reviewed publication since 2023.
    • The research has been paused due to a stop-work order or other federal action, and it has not been addressed through the College’s support for untenured faculty members.

    Cornell Engineering faculty members who submitted proposals for the standard SPROUTs cycle, which had a deadline of April 22, will be eligible to apply for the Expanded SPROUTs program under the third criterion.  The deadline for Expanded SPROUTs is June 1.

  • Can I participate in more than one proposal?

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

  • What is the due date?

    Proposals are due by June 1, 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.

  • Do all participating researchers on a proposal need to be in Cornell Engineering?

    Only the lead PI needs to have an appointment in Cornell Engineering. All investigators must have Cornell appointments, a this is an internal funding opportunity.

  • Can all investigators be from the same department?

    Yes, but the case for interdisciplinary work must be strong.

  • How much funding is available?

    Expanded SPROUTs will support one graduate research assistant for one full year, beginning in August 2025, and up to $20,000 to cover expenses in eligible categories, such as materials and supplies or publications.

  • What is the funding period?

    The award period for Expanded SPROUTs runs from August 2025 through August 2026.

  • How do I apply?

    Please read the full call for Expanded 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 “Expanded SPROUT” in the subject line.

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