SYLVESTER
INNOVATES
Accelerating Innovation in Cancer Care

Supporting groundbreaking research and healthcare solutions to improve outcomes for cancer patients.

Biomedical Challenge

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Healthcare Showcase

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Biomedical Challenge

$1Million Cancer Center Biomedical Competition
$100K-$500K Requests

Co-Sponsored by U Innovation

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

📄 Download Application

Important Dates

Letters of Intent Due:
August 14, 2025

Finalists Notified for Full Submission:
August 29, 2025

Full Submissions Due:
September 26, 2025

Pitch Day:
November 10-12, 2025

SIF Informational Session and FAQs

Attendees of the Sylvester Innovates Lunch and learn sitting and listening to speakers

Speakers of the Sylvester Innovates Lunch and learn

Attendees of the Sylvester Innovates Lunch and learn

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.

📊 Download Lunch and Learn Presentation Slides

💬 Download FAQs

In the News

Sylvester Innovates Accelerates Early-Stage Cancer Discoveries and Inventions

A new innovation fund will accelerate translational oncology research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Carefully designed to advance faculty-led projects, the Sylvester Innovates Fund (SIF) will provide up to $1 million for promising cancer discoveries and inventions with clinical potential.