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UNF MedNexus Research Innovation Fund

The MedNexus Research Innovation Fund aims to support faculty conducting research that integrates emerging technology to improve health outcomes, delivery of care, or direct clinical impact.

Eligibility and Award Amount

UNF faculty researchers from any college may apply for up to $20,000 per project.

Submissions are limited to one application per investigator, whether as the principal investigator or a co-investigator. Investigators should not apply as part of multiple research projects.

 

Budget Priorities

Faculty salary support is NOT the primary focus of this funding mechanism and should be limited to no more than 20% of the total budget request. Funds will come from an Education & General account.

Budgets should primarily support non-personnel expenses, including:

  • Research resources: Laboratory supplies, software, data acquisition, and equipment-related expenses.
  • Research dissemination: Conference registration, travel, and publication costs.

Student assistance is allowable. Faculty stipends are limited to $2,000 per investigator. All requested expenses should be clearly justified and directly related to the proposed project. 

Please refer to the Expenditure Matrix in UNF Central for additional budget details.

Application

Applications will include a brief paragraph on the study, specific aims for this funding, a brief budget and budget justification, and NIH-style biosketch for each faculty investigator.

Applications for the 2027-2028 fiscal year will be available on January 11, 2027.

Timeline
Event Date
Applications open January 11, 2027
Application deadline February 19, 2027
Finalists notified by March 5, 2027
Final awards announced April 2, 2027
Funding available August 1, 2027

 

Funding must be used within one academic year.

Faculty awarded an MedNexus Research Innovation Fund grant are eligible to submit for funding to continue their work.

 

Review Criteria:

Applications will be reviewed by the MedNexus leadership team with additional review by UNF faculty with relevant experience. Finalists will be asked to present their proposal to a panel of industry professionals.
Proposals will be assessed using six main criteria:
  1. Scientific rigor: Quality and appropriateness of the research question, study design, methods, and analysis.
  2. Feasibility: Likelihood of completing the proposed activities with the available expertise, resources, budget, and timeline.
  3. Plan for high-impact research deliverables: Clear plans for manuscript publication, external funding applications, and/or patent applications.
  4. Potential impact on health and biomedical outcomes: Potential to improve health outcomes, delivery of care, and/or clinical practice through emerging technology.
  5. Student inclusion: Meaningful involvement of graduate and/or undergraduate students.
  6. Capacity for industry partnerships: Potential to establish or strengthen industry collaborations that advance the research or its application.

 

Commitment

Awardees must:
  • Complete a progress report six months after award and a final report.
  • Present a poster or panel presentation at regional healthcare events and conferences.
  • Coordinate with Marketing and Communication to showcase scholarship through media.
  • Submit for external funding.

 

Please contact s.stallings-smith@unf.edu for additional questions.