Author: Jordan Locy and Ethan Bochicchio
The University of Southern California’s Office of Research and Innovation (OORI) is amplifying its focus on groundbreaking discovery and commercial translation by launching a broader range of internal funding opportunities. Through the Research Catalyst Program (RCP) and the Innovation Catalyst Program (ICP), OORI has combined previous initiatives to maximize efficiency. This redesign provides comprehensive support for faculty, creating a unified pipeline that guides USC researchers from basic inquiry to real-world application.
Fueling Foundational and Interdisciplinary Research
The RCP promotes foundational and interdisciplinary research by supporting faculty-led projects across seven distinct tracks. It emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, bold inquiry, and the potential for a strong return on investment, measured not just financially but also by research impact and scholarship. To ensure consistent access to resources, the program now has two deadlines each year — one per semester.
Upcoming Deadline: RCP submissions are due February 16. Reviews for the November cycle are currently in progress, with funding decisions expected to be announced in early 2026.
The RCP topic areas are designed to cover the entire research pipeline. Opportunities range from seed funding for initial data through the Zumberge Preliminary Studies topic area to 50-50 matching funds for shared instrumentation. The program also targets specific strategic areas via the Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability tracks. Beyond direct research funding, the RCP supports proposal development through the Institutional Training Planning and SBIR/STTR Planning tracks, while the Investigator-Initiated Project category provides support for curiosity-driven research outside these established themes.
Accelerating Innovation and Startup Formation
Complementing the RCP, the ICP accelerates innovation and startup creation. This program is vital to OORI’s strategy for supporting early-stage researchers, helping transform intellectual property into viable commercial products, services, and new ventures.
Upcoming Deadlines: ICP Submissions vary by initiative. Reviews for the November cycle are currently in progress, with funding decisions expected to be announced in early 2026.
ICP funding opportunities are designed to support innovators—including students, faculty, staff, and alumni—at every stage of development. The Innovation Empowerment Initiative focuses on translating ideas into viable products, services, or ventures that deliver social and economic impact. The Stevens Translation Catalyst provides up to $50,000 for proof-of-concept work to enhance the commercial potential of USC-owned technologies. For those ready to start new ventures, the Startup Launch Initiative provides up to $50,000 to support startup formation and early operational needs for USC-affiliated founders. Lastly, the Early Career Innovator and the Techstars Early Career Innovator awards each offer entrepreneurial experience for students, pairing them with either USC-affiliated startups or with startups participating in the Techstars Accelerator.
Additional Resources
For full descriptions of each program, visit the program page here. You can also view brief video overviews of the ICP and RCP opportunities, or watch previous Q&A webinar sessions here.