SyracuseCoE partner companies can apply for grant funding to address COVID-19 issues

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Companies that are partners with the Syracuse Center of Excellence (SyracuseCoE) can apply for up to $10,000 in a round 2 disbursement from the Syracuse CoE’s 2020 Innovation Fund for projects addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Innovation Fund is funded by SyracuseCoE’s partner program to help partners “overcome barriers in the process of commercializing potentially transformative innovations,” per a Syracuse University news release.

Companies throughout New York are contributing to products addressing COVID-19 pandemic-related challenges — from developing new applications for existing products to “complete transformation” of manufacturing operations to produce items most needed by frontline workers.

To support these efforts, proposals are restricted in this round to projects that “specifically target” the COVID-19 pandemic and that coincide with the center’s focal areas. Those areas include indoor environmental quality; renewable energy and energy efficiency; and water resources.

Both current and new 2020-21 SyracuseCoE partner-program firms can submit applications for up to $10,000.

Companies at all partner levels — industry, affiliate and startup — are invited to apply, per the release.

SyracuseCoE says it welcomes research work involving faculty and students, support for product development and testing, market analysis, and proposal match requirement.

“The Central New York region has remarkable record of research, innovation, and commercialization in environmental and energy systems,” Eric Schiff, interim executive director of SyracuseCoE, said. “The Innovation Fund awards have been used by many SyracuseCoE Partner companies to help further the commercialization of new products and services. Winning an award gives companies the potential to play a critical role in helping communities reopen and function safely as we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Applications are due by Sept. 24 at 5 p.m., eastern time. Those submitting will be invited to give a brief pitch, via Zoom, with a panel of reviewers in early October.

Those interested can visit the SyracuseCoE Innovation Fund webpage to learn more.