Event Type : Pathways Newsletter

The QuickSearchPlus (QSP) Small Grant Program hosted by QuickSearchPlus is offering funding to support innovative thinkers working at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI, digital productivity, and emerging technologies. This global opportunity is open to students, academic researchers, and young professionals aged 18–35 who are developing impactful projects or research proposals in areas like Web3 security, AI in education, workflow tools, and inclusive tech for emerging economies.

Selected applicants will receive $10,000 in non-dilutive funding, along with access to workshops, a global community, product trials, and exposure through spotlight features. Even non-selected applicants may benefit from engagement opportunities and resources. The application process includes three stages: expression of interest, full proposal submission, and a live presentation.

The deadline to submit the initial expression of interest is October 1, 2025. Read more about this opportunity here.

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is currently accepting nominations for the 2026 NAS Prize in Food and Agriculture Sciences, an award recognizing a mid-career scientist based at a U.S. institution who has made outstanding contributions to agriculture or to the biological understanding of species critical to food production.

Eligible fields include plant and animal sciences, microbiology, nutrition, food science, soil science, entomology, veterinary medicine, and agricultural economics.

The prize includes a medal and a $100,000 award. Nominations are open through Monday, October 6, 2025. To learn more visit the webpage here.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), through its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, is offering the Innovative Concept Award, a funding opportunity for U.S.-based small businesses developing groundbreaking technologies to improve research, prevention, detection, or treatment in pediatric and rare cancers.

This opportunity is designed for small businesses (under 500 employees) with high-risk, high-reward biotech innovations that could establish new scientific paradigms. The award offers up to $300,000 in contract funding and requires participation in the NIH I-Corps program for entrepreneurial training. The final proposal deadline is October 17, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Learn more here.

MassRobotics in collaboration with FESTO, Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Novanta, and MITRE is hosting a Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst. The program is designed to support healthcare robotics startups by providing mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities to foster growth and success.

The program focuses on areas such as clinical care, pharmaceutical and hospital automation, laboratory automation, precision and regenerative medicine, point-of-care solutions, rehabilitation, assistive technologies, and training for healthcare professionals. 

Applications are set to open this month. To learn more about this opportunity, click here. 

UF Innovate, in collaboration with IP attorneys from Wolf Greenfield is hosting a two-day workshop designed to equip UF innovators with essential knowledge on protecting ideas and creating value through intellectual property.

This training opportunity will include small group discussions and expert guidance, offering practical insights into critical IP practices. The workshop is open to all UF innovators, with participants receiving certification upon completion.

The workshop will be held on October 27, 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM, and October 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM. To register, please visit the registration page.

Activate is now accepting applications for its two-year entrepreneurial fellowship designed to support scientists and engineers who are ready to turn their cutting-edge research into impactful products. Founded in 2015, Activate has built a robust ecosystem that empowers first-time hard-tech founders through funding, technical resources, mentorship, and access to a dynamic network of innovators, investors, and industry partners. The fellowship provides a living stipend, benefits, and customized support to help fellows fully commit to developing their technologies.

This opportunity is intended for individuals with a bachelor’s degree and at least four years of post-baccalaureate experience in scientific research, engineering, or technology development. Applicants must be first-time founders of a physical or biological science-based innovation and committed to working full-time on their project. Eligible projects must be in the development stage and based in the U.S.

The final deadline to apply is October 28, 2025. To learn more about the fellowship and begin your application, click here.

NASA Spacesuit User Interface Technologies for Students (NASA SUITS) is a design challenge hosted by NASA that engages college students from across the United States in creating innovative user interface solutions for future spaceflight missions. The program supports NASA’s Artemis campaign and aims to develop technologies that enhance the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of astronauts during lunar and Martian surface exploration.

This opportunity is specifically for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at accredited U.S. institutions, Applications are due October 30, 2025, and proposals must be submitted via STEM Gateway. Learn more here.

The RepAir: Advancing Aircraft Maintenance challenge is part of NASA’s Gateway to Blue Skies (GBS) Competition, hosted by NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD). This competition invites post-secondary student teams to conceptualize innovative aviation maintenance solutions that improve efficiency, safety, and costs in the U.S. aviation industry. 

The competition is designed for multidisciplinary student teams from all academic levels from undergraduate through graduate, across any field of study. 

A Notice of Intent (NOI) submission is due by  November 4, 2025. To learn more about the competition, visit the website here. 

The National Science Foundation is currently accepting proposals for its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, part of America’s Seed Fund. These highly competitive programs provide early-stage, non-dilutive funding to small businesses pursuing high-risk, high-reward research and development with strong commercial potential.

This opportunity is designed for U.S.-based startups and small businesses working on transformative technology across all areas of science and engineering. To begin the application process, companies must first submit a Project Pitch (a brief overview of their innovation) to determine fit for the program. If the pitch is accepted, applicants are invited to submit a full Phase I proposal, which includes more detailed technical and commercial information.

The proposal submission deadlines is November 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM in the submitter’s local time zone. To learn more, visit the NSF webpage here.

The 2025 ASEMFL Annual Meeting hosted by the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida (ASEMFL) and organized by Annual Meeting Planning Committee is open for registration.

This statewide gathering brings together stakeholders from academia, industry, government, and the community to explore timely issues in science, engineering, and medicine. The event is open to faculty, students, postdocs, industry professionals, government employees, and community members interested in research, innovation, and policy.

The meeting will take place on November 7, 2025, at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management in Orlando, Florida, with accommodations available at the Rosen Centre Hotel. To learn more about this opportunity visit the site here or contact the Events Manager, Natasha Coleman at Natasha.Coleman@ucf.edu.

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is inviting submissions for its Project G.I. Challenge, a recurring opportunity designed to accelerate the development and fielding of advanced uncrewed systems (UxS) that can meet the urgent operational needs of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

This challenge is aimed at technology developers and companies with solutions that can enhance U.S. military capabilities in three key mission areas: operations in contested electromagnetic spectrums, rapid targeting for small tactical units, and ISR and strike capabilities in Arctic and extreme cold environments. Participants will engage in a competitive, phased process where selected companies can receive up to $50,000 in Phase 1 and up to $500,000 in Phase 2 for live demonstrations, with further potential for continued collaboration and integration.

Two upcoming deadlines are tied to specific challenge tracks. Submissions for the Kill Chain challenge must be received by August 15, 2025. Submissions for the Emerging Problem Set are due by November 15, 2025. To learn more about the specific challenge tracks visit the DIU event webpage here.

The NOURISH (Nutrition for OUR Immune System Health): Autoimmunity Challenge is a competition hosted by the NIH. The challenge seeks innovative ideas on integrating diet and nutrition studies into autoimmune disease research, focusing on dietary interventions that are feasible, testable, scalable, and broadly impactful. Participants are encouraged to explore the role of diet in autoimmune disease inception, progression, flares, and symptom management.

This opportunity is open to individuals, teams, and entities including people living with autoimmune disease, patient advocacy groups, caregivers, dietitians, nutritionists, lifestyle medicine experts, physicians, and scientists.

The deadline is December 4, 2025. To learn more visit the website here. 

The Third Annual Warren B. Nelms IoT Conference will be held on December 4-5, 2025 at the University of Florida campus. It will feature an excellent line-up of speakers, industry panels, and research talks, covering a broad spectrum of topics on Internet of Things (IoT) and AI technology and their applications. Network with IoT experts, leaders, researchers, and enthusiasts from across the country to learn, share ideas, and spark new collaborations. Registration is complementary (including breakfast and lunch both days). Learn more here.