Innovation Catalyst Program

Initiative: Stevens Translation Catalyst

The Innovation Catalyst Fund was created to support early-stage Trojan innovators across the university. Designed to support student, faculty, staff, and alumni innovators, the fund provides resources for a range of innovation-related activities, such as covering legal and incorporation costs, supporting engagement with USC-affiliated startups to gain real-world experience, and advancing use-inspired research with entrepreneurial potential. By helping founders translate ideas into viable ventures, the fund aims to promote social and economic impact through innovation and entrepreneurship. Programs like the Innovation Catalyst Fund plays a critical role in the broader USC innovation ecosystem, which is designed to provide comprehensive support across the commercialization spectrum for USC-affiliated founders.

Initiative: Stevens Translation Catalyst

Funds to support projects at the validation or proof-of-concept stage to generate data to ready the project for licensing and/or to attract investors to form a startup or attract additional translational funding. Projects must be based on IP owned by USC. Funding may support direct research activities in a USC lab. In certain cases, it may facilitate work with a commercial partner interested in licensing USC IP if the technology can be validated through sponsored research into the USC lab. In such cases, Translation Catalyst Award funds may be applied to offset university overhead fees associated with a company-sponsored research agreement conducted. Examples of translational work that may be considered under this initiative are provided in the FAQ section. Furthermore, select projects may be considered for participation in external accelerator or innovation catalyst programs partnered with USC, if available and as appropriate.

If you are experiencing technical issues submitting your proposal or have additional questions, please contact the rii@usc.edu.