Biomedical Challenge
Co-Sponsored by U Innovation
BIOMENDICAL
CHALLENGE
$1Million Cancer Center Biomedical Competition$100K-$500K Requests
Mission
The Sylvester Innovates Fund (SIF) is designed to accelerate promising translational cancer research projects towards critical value inflection and accretion, catalyzing research commercialization at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of UHealth – University of Miami Health System. Funded projects are expected to lead to the generation of new intellectual property, technology licensing and start-up company formation.
Track 1: Technology Pilot Funding: $200,000 maximum
Track 2: Acceleration Funding: $200,000–$500,000
Important Dates
Letters of Intent Due:
August 14, 2025
August 14, 2025
Finalists Notified for Full Submission:
August 29, 2025
August 29, 2025
Full Submissions Due:
September 26, 2025
September 26, 2025
Pitch Day:
November 10-12, 2025
November 10-12, 2025
SIF Informational Session and FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What types of projects are supported?
Projects should focus on innovative solutions in biomedical or health-related fields. These may include:
• Therapeutics (drug discovery, biologics)
• Medical devices
• Diagnostics and biomarkers
• Digital health and AI applications
2. How do I apply?
Please apply via email submission to sylvesterinnovates@med.miami.edu
3. What are the eligibility criteria?
The PI (or Co-PI) must be a full member of Sylvester’s (Cancer Centers Support Grant) CCSG.
4. What is some general application advice?
• Understand the medical context in which your therapeutic or wearable will make a difference.
• Talk to clinicians who know the field before applying.
• Relate how your solution solves the identified problem. A mismatch between the solution and the need will be noticed.
• Include preliminary results and a research plan, focusing on critical data demonstrating feasibility and experiments showing translatability.