Brandeis Innovation

Deadline: June 18, 2025

The Design by Biomedical Undergraduate Teams (DEBUT) Challenge is a national competition recognizing excellence in biomedical design and innovation. Supported by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) and VentureWell, the challenge invites undergraduate student teams to develop solutions to unmet health and clinical needs.

With $190,000 in total prizes, DEBUT awards up to $20,000 to winning teams. Submissions should demonstrate strong design and analytical skills, a functional prototype, and effective teamwork. Projects will be judged on the significance of the health problem addressed, the potential impact of the solution, innovation, and feasibility. Additional prizes will recognize projects that show market potential, patentability, and relevance to specific health areas such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, rehabilitation, aging, and women's health.

Winning teams will be recognized at the Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting in October 2025.

Deadline: June 30, 2025 at 11:59 PM PST

TiE U is a global student entrepreneurship program that helps turn bold ideas into real-world impact. It offers two tracks: Pre-Revenue for early-stage ideas and Revenue for startups with initial traction. Participants benefit from expert-led masterclasses, one-on-one mentorship, market access, investor connections, and a global pitch competition with prize money and in-kind support.

Deadline: August 1st, and December 1st 2025

Designed to support Latin American graduate students facing financial barriers in conducting conservation research. Funds cover essential expenses like transportation, lodging, meals, and field supplies.

Christopher Miller Outstanding Student Award: This award of $500 is given annually to an outstanding Student Grant winner.

Deadline: Aug 07, 2025 by 3:00pm ET

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund's Climate + Health Excellence (CHEX) Centers award is a grant program designed to support interdisciplinary research and training on climate change's health impacts. The initiative encourages collaboration between institutions to develop innovative approaches for understanding, mitigating, and communicating the health effects of climate change, with a focus on research, public engagement, and post-graduate training.

Deadline: N/A

Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures (MSISV) is an initiative designed to support visionary early-stage founders, startups, and nonprofit organizations through two complementary accelerator programs. Participants gain access to Morgan Stanley’s extensive industry network, including bankers, financial advisors, and technology experts, alongside tailored mentorship and coaching from experienced entrepreneurs and advisors.

Two Accelerator Programs:

• The Lab – A for-profit accelerator providing early-stage startups with capital, mentorship, and resources to scale innovative solutions. Eligible startups include technology-driven companies led by founders who have faced systemic barriers to capital access or have a focus on sustainability. Startups in the Lab receive an equity investment of $250,000 (NY-based) or £250,000 (London-based), along with a five-month curated program, mentorship, office space, and networking opportunities.
• The Collaborative – A nonprofit accelerator offering grants and support to emerging organizations driving high-impact, scalable solutions. Ideal participants include nonprofits with a clear business plan and a mission aligned with sustainability and inclusive growth. Nonprofits in the Collaborative receive a $250,000 grant (Americas) or £250,000 (other regions), plus access to the same mentorship and program content as the Lab.

for more information visit: https://www.morganstanley.com/about-us/inclusive-sustainable-ventures?cid=mg-vm-msivl-ve-17273

To apply for “The Lab”

To apply for “The Collaborative”

Deadline: N/A

Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) for collaborative, multidisciplinary ocean research aboard R/V Falkor (too). EOIs and full proposals are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed twice per year. Researchers may request full berthing or be paired with complementary projects.

SOI provides free access to R/V Falkor (too)’s scientific facilities, lab equipment, technical support, and communication services. In return, researchers must share data and findings in real time. Investigators must secure their own funding for salaries, travel, and research analysis, with limited support available for robotic platforms, sensors, and open-source publishing.

Deadline: N/A

The Clean Energy Ventures Application is designed for early-stage advanced energy companies seeking funding from Clean Energy Ventures and the Clean Energy Venture Group. A single application provides access to both investment networks, with all submissions undergoing a thorough review by a team of over 20 experts. Ideal candidates have innovative clean energy technologies that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strong leadership teams, and a clear path to market growth and investment returns. Investments typically support the first institutional funding round, focusing on companies headquartered in North America, Europe, and Israel.

Deadline: N/A

The Fintech Sandbox Data Access Residency offers early-stage startups access to essential financial data for testing and development. Open to startups worldwide, applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Eligible applicants must be incorporated, have a dedicated leadership team, a CTO or developers capable of handling large datasets, an alpha product or demo, and annual recurring revenue below $1 million USD. Data accessed through the program is strictly for testing and cannot be used for direct commercialization.

Applications for the 2025 Finance Program are open! 

The MassChallenge FinTech 2025 Partner Challenges invites innovative startups to collaborate with leading financial institutions, including Citizens, DCU, and MassMutual, to solve industry challenges. Startups can contribute to groundbreaking advancements in areas like AI-driven fraud detection, real-time payment systems, blockchain for title transfers, and sustainable home improvements. This initiative gives startup founders access to strategic guidance from corporate partners and opportunities for meaningful collaboration, driving innovation in sectors such as data management, cybersecurity, and customer-centric solutions.

Deadline: Pre-registration is now open. For the Complete timeline of dates check it out at https://www.herox.com/EnergyTechUP/timeline

The American-Made EnergyTech University Prize (EnergyTech UP) 2025 offers student teams the opportunity to win cash prizes by creating and presenting a business plan centered around promising energy technologies. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Technology Transitions, the competition provides mentorship and resources, with over $450,000 available for students, and an additional $100,000 dedicated to faculty who elevate energy entrepreneurship at their institutions. This new faculty track incentivizes educators to engage students in energy technology commercialization and entrepreneurship, further enhancing the impact of the competition.

The Global EdTech Startups Awards (GESAwards) represents the largest global competition and community for educational technology, involving over 6,000 startups from more than 130 countries since its inception in 2014. The awards aim to foster international collaboration and global expansion within the EdTech sector, offering startups from diverse regions the opportunity to showcase their innovations globally, connect with industry leaders, and potentially win the title Edtech Startup of the Year. The program includes regional semifinals leading up to a final event in London each January and a two-day boot camp providing finalists with significant networking and growth opportunities. Startups at various stages are encouraged to apply, especially those with products ready for the market but not yet widely distributed.

The Hult Prize invites students globally to participate in a challenge that combines competition with a cause. This program encourages young entrepreneurs to develop startups that address critical global issues, fostering a spirit of social entrepreneurship. This prestigious program enables students to develop startups with the potential for real-world impact, offering a chance to join a global network of peers, mentors, and experts. Competitors strive to reach the Global Finals, with a grand prize of $1 million in funding to realize their innovative ideas.

Participants can elevate an existing startup or create a new venture through this program. To be eligible, you must be a currently enrolled student in a degree program, part of a team of 3-5 members from the same university (with an allowance for one member from a different institution), and at least 18 years old. Engage in this opportunity to bring your impactful business ideas to life with the Hult Prize.

The Power Forward Small Business Grant is targeted at black-owned small businesses that can showcase how they intend to use the grant to further their impact on their community. Approved applicants receive $25k in funding, along with the opportunity to be featured in natural programming and resources for both marketing and design. There is no deadline; rewards are granted on a rolling basis.

More information

P&G Develop partners with entrepreneurs to  accelerate billion dollar ideas that improve consumers’ lives. Focus areas include nontoxic home and garden, women’s health, anti-aging, daily wellness, and cleaning/sanitizing.

For: Undergraduate and graduate-student entrepreneurs
Rolling Deadlines

The .406 Ventures Student Fellowship is a two-year program for exceptional student entrepreneurs. Selected students are given access to mentorship from experienced venture capitalists, $20k+ in vendor credits, and a dedicated network of founders. Former fellows have gone on to IPOs, acquisitions, and top companies such as Google and Amazon. Please note that this fellowship is only for students who have already started a company or plan to within the next two years; students with a primary interest in Venture Capital should look elsewhere. To apply, you must have at least two years left at your current academic institution.

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For: University researchers in a range of disciplines, including data science, epidemiology, biochemistry, and more

Deadline: Rolling

Rapid diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases are critical to both the patient and the broader community. Early Notification to Act, Control, and Treat (ENACT) partners with innovators to develop disruptive technologies that detect, prognosticate outcomes, and enable early intervention following exposures to both natural and man-made infectious threats.

Join iFundWomen if you are a Boston-area women-led startup to fundraise for your business and get your ideas launched.