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The “Driving Inspiration and Innovation through Collaboration Resarch Competition” is the second of a two-stage review process to determine recipients of the first annual Nappi Family Research Awards

Faculty scholars from ���ϲ����� and Upstate Medical University competing for funds under a new pilot grant program will pitch their research proposals before a panel of judges on Friday, Dec. 11, at the Life Sciences Complex at ���ϲ�����.

The 2 p.m. event—titled the “Driving Inspiration and Innovation through Collaboration Research Competition”—is the second of a two-stage review process to determine recipients of the first annual Nappi Family Research Awards.

Ten teams comprising faculty from both institutions will compete for a slice of $500,000 in prize money to fund their research ideas and needs. Each team will have three minutes to pitch its research proposal to a panel of judges. They will then have an additional four minutes to respond to questions from judges. Judges will announce the winners and the grant awards at the conclusion of the presentations.

The judging panel will include ���ϲ����� trustee Samuel Nappi and his wife, Carol, key initiators and funders of the pilot grant program; David Amberg, vice president for research at Upstate; Gina Lee-Glauser, vice president for research at ���ϲ�����; Marc Viggiano, CEO and founder, Niteopark LLC; and Albert Di Rienzo, president, CEO and founder, Radicle Innovation, LLC.

Emcee for the event will be Daniel Pluff, a senior vice president with Morgan Stanley. Pluff is a graduate of the and an executive member of the Upstate Foundation’s board of directors.

���ϲ����� and Upstate announced the launch of the “Driving Inspiration and Innovation through Collaboration” pilot grant program in September. The program is designed to pool the diverse research and clinical strengths of faculty from both institutions to stimulate collaborative research activity focused on pressing biomedical and health care needs. Each team must include two or more researchers or clinicians representing both campuses.

Pilot grants of up to $100,000 in direct costs for up to two years’ duration will be awarded. Winning teams will use the funding to support activities and preliminary data-gathering that will enhance their position to win large federal or other externally sponsored grants earmarked for biomedical and health care-related research.

An awards reception will follow the research presentations at 3:30 p.m. in the Milton Atrium of the Life Sciences Complex.

The research competition is open to the public and will be in Auditorium 001 of the Life Sciences Complex at 107 College Place. Parking will be available in on Comstock Avenue. In addition to scholars, research administrators and other representatives from the two institutions, attendees are expected to include local business, civic and economic development leaders.

For more information, contact specialevents@syr.edu.