2026 BIDMC Ignition Grants
Launched in 2025, the BIDMC Ignition Grants Program aims to:
- Advance innovations and the generation of intellectual property (IP) to attract industry collaborations.
- Train investigators in translating discoveries from bench to bedside.
- Drive the translation of research into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes.
The program is supported by the Office of the Chief Academic Officer (BIDMC) and philanthropy. It offers grants providing up to $100K in direct costs for up to one year.
These grants help fund proof-of-concept and validation studies, advancing BIDMC projects to critical inflection points and attracting interest from industry partners and investors.
Ignition Grants Program is managed by the Technology Ventures Office (TVO) - Internal and external experts review applications across three stages: Letters of Intent, Full Applications, and Pitch Presentations. Projects are evaluated based on:
- Demonstrated novelty, IP potential, and competitive advantage over existing solutions.
- Readiness to move from the laboratory to clinic and improve patient outcomes.
- Quality of work plan, feasibility within the given timeline and budget, and the ability to effectively pitch the project’s value.
Selected candidates will Pitch at the 5thPitch It! Competition at the BIDMC Research Retreat on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
Get inspired: View the recorded 2025 Pitch It! Showcase and meet the 2025 Ignition Grants Awardees.
If you have questions on Ignition Grants program, please contact Cindy Wong, PhD (cwong2@bidmc.harvard.edu).