Seed Funding for Innovative, Interdisciplinary Research
The Academic Venture Fund (AVF) is our incubator for the next generation of sustainable solutions. The AVF seeds original, interdisciplinary research that is not likely to find funding elsewhere because the projects are novel, risky, need early data to establish traction or involve new teams working together.
Projects span the entire range of sustainability topics, prioritizing resilient rural-urban systems across our primary research themes—Food, Climate, Energy, and One Health. Since 2010, Cornell Atkinson has administered $21.7 million to support 223 AVF projects, spanning every college on Cornell’s campus.
AVF projects often draw in external partners from industry, government, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), as well as local leaders and community members. External organizations or individuals interested in partnering for AVF research should contact the senior director of strategic partnerships, Patrick Beary.
How to Apply
Eligibility:
- All PIs and CoPIs must meet Cornell’s principal investigator (PI) eligibility criteria
The 2025 Cycle is Closed
- Previous Request for Proposals
Awards 2008-2025
