Florida High Tech Corridor Matching Grants Research Program is sponsored by Florida High Tech Corridor. This program provides research and development funds for technology companies in Florida. Grant recipients collaborate with research teams from the University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida.

The grants are designed to support businesses in Florida's targeted high-skill industries that produce exportable goods or services.

Research Grants MGRP | Florida High Tech Corridor Accelerating Collaborative Research + Innovation Connecting Industry Partners with Research Universities through Matching Grants The Corridor’s Matching Grants Research Program (MGRP) is an investment in innovation.

Through this program, The Corridor co-invests in industry-sponsored research projects led by faculty at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and the University of South Florida (USF). By matching industry contributions with up to $150,000 in funding, The Corridor strengthens partnerships that accelerate applied research, fosters student participation and future workforce development, and delivers real-world impact.

The program is available to industry partners with a significant presence in The Corridor’s 23-county region . University faculty serves as the Principal Investigator and submits the proposal in partnership with the eligible industry partner. It is a collaborative research submission between industry and university.

The Corridor may award up to $150,000 per project to match the industry partner’s direct investment in research at the University . Corridor funds are awarded to the university research team. No funding is provided directly to the industry partner.

Industry partners gain access to specialized faculty expertise and advanced research capabilities, while cultivating the future workforce. University faculty benefit through expanded research impact, industry engagement, and real-world problem alignment. Students receive hands-on experience in applied research projects tied directly to industry challenges.

Industry partners must have a presence in the Corridor’s 23-county region. The project must represent a mutually beneficial research collaboration between the industry partner and a participating university. University Program Directors can advise on university-specific eligibility and compliance requirements.

All projects must include student participation. Graduate and undergraduate students are actively involved in the research effort – gaining practical experience, exposure to industry, and opportunities to apply their academic expertise to real-world challenges.

The program supports applied, solution-driven R&D aligned both with industry partner need and university strengths Industry partners and university researchers collaborate on a project plan and develop the MGRP proposal and budget to enhance the industry-sponsored project.

Proposals are reviewed by Program Staff to ensure alignment with university guidelines and the Corridor’s program criteria and are shared with a committee of professionals and regional stakeholders for additional review. Program Directors can help facilitate connections between interested industry partners and university researchers.

A sponsored research agreement must be executed between the industry partner and University to formalize the research project. This program can be leveraged to complement industry-university research collaborations supported through SBIR/STTR programs.

University-Aligned Innovation: Projects support strategic research priorities at UCF and USF Talent Pipeline: Students gain hands-on experience and often transition into full-time roles with industry partners Commercialization Potential: Many projects lead to intellectual property, licensing, and new product development Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Encouraged across departments and institutions Real-World Results: Past projects have led to new manufacturing processes, advanced materials, medical technologies, and software solutions that directly benefit industry partners Connect with a Program Director to explore collaboration opportunities and program specifics.

Program Director, University of Central Florida jennifer. mckinley@ucf. edu Director, University of South Florida