The application period for the 2026 Faculty Fellows Program is now open. Faculty can review the full solicitation and apply through the Syracuse University Application Portal.
Program Overview
SyracuseCoE, a designated New York State Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems operating under the leadership of Syracuse University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, invites applications for research and technology seed funding through its Faculty Fellows Program. Proposals are welcomed from faculty researchers for innovative research and development efforts in SyracuseCoE’s focus areas: healthy and efficient buildings, clean energy, and resilient, low- carbon communities. The 2026 Faculty Fellows program is intended to catalyze new, externally sponsored research projects that contribute to economic growth and workforce development with New York State businesses. Applicants are required to engage a New York State company seeking technology, intellectual property, or technoeconomic expertise to explore potential for the proposed technology innovation to be further developed with external sponsored funding (e.g., SBIR programs) and for eventual commercialization. SyracuseCoE intends to make multiple awards under the announcement.
Proposals should address how the use of the Faculty Fellow seed funding could lead to a significant “next step” in research and technology development, strengthen New York industry engagement, increase the potential for externally sponsored research and student experience, and help establish SyracuseCoE and its Partner institutions as thought leaders in the targeted areas. Proposals emphasizing use-inspired research that has the potential to lead to transformative methods and procedures, software and hardware platforms, or licensable patents are encouraged. Proposals viewed as incremental to well-established projects will not be considered.
Eligibility
The 2026 Faculty Fellows Program is open to faculty members who hold full-time appointments at SyracuseCoE Academic Partner institutions: Syracuse University, SUNY-ESF and SUNY Upstate Medical University. Individuals who hold appointments as tenured, tenure-track, and non-tenure-track faculty are eligible to apply. SyracuseCoE welcomes proposals that engage multiple faculty members, including cross-campus teams from multiple departments, colleges, and/or institutions. Teams are required to include industry partners, especially those belonging to the SyracuseCoE Partner Program. Previous faculty awardees cannot serve as a PI for two consecutive years.
Budget
Applicants may apply for up to $15,000 per award. SyracuseCoE intends to award approximately $50,000 in this round. Awards are expected to be announced before December 15, 2025, with an estimated project start date of January 1, 2026, and projects may take up to 12 months to complete. Proposals that request lower levels of funding are encouraged.
Application Process
Applications must be completed and submitted electronically in the Syracuse University Application Portal. Applications are due by 11:59 pm on Friday, November 21, 2025. It is anticipated that announcement of awards will be made in December 2025, with projects starting in January 2026.