GAP Community News
The University Gap Funding/Accelerator Weekly update, a resource for those interested in university-affiliated translational research, proof of concept, startup, and venture gap fund/accelerator program
University Gap Funding and Accelerator Community News

US judge blocks slashing of universities’ federal funding from National Science Foundation | Reuters
A landmark federal court decision has halted the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) policy to cap indirect research cost reimbursements at 15% for universities, safeguarding billions in critical research funding. The NSF’s policy, announced in May, would have replaced individually negotiated
Three UChicago Startups Receive Investment from the George Shultz Innovation Fund
The George Shultz Innovation Fund has awarded $250,000 to StaC12, $200,000 to Theta Neurotech, and $150,000 to CavilinQ to support the continued development and commercialization of their technologies. Managed by the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the George Shultz
Scotland Boosting Startups, Including a Proof of Concept Fund
New initiatives taking advantage of Scotland’s world-class reputation as an innovation nation have been announced by the Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes. Three projects, backed by £4.4 million, are designed to help turn ground-breaking research across the country’s universities and

Eight Penn State research commercialization projects awarded GAP funding | Penn State University
The 2025 Penn State Commercialization GAP Fund has awarded funding to eight innovative research projects, each targeting the critical stage between academic discovery and industry adoption. This competitive, university-wide initiative—funded by the Penn State Research Foundation and managed by the

Rowan Innovation Venture Fund Appoints Garden State Venture Partners to Lead Next Phase of Innovation
GLASSBORO, N.J., June 12, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Rowan Innovation Venture Fund (RIVF) today announced the appointment of Garden State Venture Partners (GSVP) as its new management team, marking a significant milestone in the fund’s evolution. This leadership expansion brings
MEDC renews Wayne State’s oversight of the MTRAC Advanced Computing Innovation Hub
DETROIT — Wayne State University has been selected to continue oversight of the Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) statewide program’s Advanced Computing Innovation Hub. This program funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation aims to enhance Michigan’s innovation ecosystem

Transformative UK Government £86 billion boost to science and tech
The UK government has announced a transformative £86 billion investment in science and technology, aimed at turbocharging the economy through innovation-driven growth and regional empowerment. This funding, set to reach over £22.5 billion annually by 2029/2030, forms a core part

ERC Proof of Concept Grants: Targeted investment, big innovation return |ERC
GAP Insights Summary: The latest report on the European Research Council (ERC) Proof of Concept (PoC) Grants underscores their outsized impact on innovation and commercialization, despite representing just 1% of the ERC’s total budget (€259 million from 2014–2023). Targeted exclusively

Turning Research Into Reality: USC Launches New Tech Innovation Fellowship
GAP Insights Summary: USC Viterbi’s Technology Innovation Fellowship Program is redefining how deep tech research transitions from the lab to the marketplace. Led by Oscar Neyra-Nazarrett and Ralph Lin, the program addresses a persistent challenge: brilliant researchers often lack the

The Pentagon launches a military-grade university startup accelerator
ARTICLE SUMMARY: The Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has launched a 12-week university accelerator program modeled after Y Combinator, offering $500,000 to 15 early-stage teams from U.S. universities. Targeting dual-use technologies in AI, cybersecurity, space, and energy, the initiative aims