What is NYFIRST?

The New York Fund for Innovation in Research and Scientific Talent (NYFIRST) is an Empire State Development-funded grant program designed to encourage recruitment of exceptional life science researchers and world-class talent from institutions outside of New York State and retention of such researchers who have offers from other institutions outside of New York. The goal of NYFIRST is to bring translational research talent to the state’s medical schools.

What is new about this NYFIRST Application round? 

An important change to this round of NYFIRST is that greater emphasis will be placed on the patent potential of the recruited investigator’s research and patent history. This is being reflected in the scoring criteria, with more weight being given to the strength of Principal Investigator’s intellectual property history and patent potential of proposed research.

Another change is that, while ESD will make no more than one award per Applicant per application cycle, an Applicant may submit another application during the application cycle if a previous application was not recommended for funding. Applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis during a 12-month period, starting July 15, 2026 and ending on July 16, 2027 at 5pm ET.

How can NYFIRST grant monies be used?

NYFIRST funds can be used to support the establishment or upgrading of laboratories for the recruited or retained researchers, for purchases of capital equipment and specialized supplies needed for their research, and as working capital to cover costs of professional staff (including staff scientists, postdoctoral fellows, and technicians, but excluding the recruited researcher) critical to the proposed research.

What is the maximum amount of funding that an applicant can receive?

The maximum grant amount for any eligible applicant project is up to $1 million. The total assistance awarded will be determined by ESD based on the recommendation of the reviewers, but shall not exceed this amount.

Must the grantee match the funding in any way?

Grantees are required to provide $2 in matching funds for every $1 of NYFIRST program assistance.

Are there any restrictions on how the matching funds are obtained?

Matching funds may consist of cash, including federal assistance. No financial assistance provided by ESD, or any other New York state agency or authority, may be included as part of the grantee’s match.

What is the total amount of funding available for the NYFIRST Program?

The total amount of funding available at the start of the NYFIRST Program in 2018 was $15 million; an additional $10 million was appropriated in the 2024-2025 budget. To date, thirteen NYFIRST grants have been recommended.

Who is eligible to apply for a grant?

Only medical schools in New York State are eligible to apply for NYFIRST grants.

Are there any restrictions on the area of research undertaken by the recruited Principal Investigator?

There are no restrictions in terms of therapeutic area of research. The only requirements are that the research must offer an innovative solution to an unmet clinical and market need and show a clear path to commercialization.

Must the Principal Investigator be recruited from out of state?

Investigators may be recruited or retained, as long as they meet the program requirements for recruitment or retention. A recruited Principal Investigator must be employed by an institution or company outside New York State at the time an offer of employment is made by the applicant. An investigator may be retained if they have a verifiable offer from an institution located outside of New York State that would lead them to leave the state (see the Guidelines for specific requirements). The scientists and post-doctoral fellows must also be recruited from outside of New York State.

How many grants will be made during each application cycle?

There is no limit to the number of awards that can be made during any application cycle, as long as NYFIRST funds are available. ESD will make awards to as many qualifying medical schools as possible within New York State, assuming equivalent qualifying evaluation scores and taking into consideration regional balance, anticipated job creation and retention, and economic development benefits. ESD will make no more than one award per Applicant per application cycle.

Is there more than one opportunity to submit an application during the year? 

If an application is not accepted for funding, the Applicant may submit another application during that application cycle. Each application cycle is 12 months in duration, and applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis during that 12-month period.

Can a NYFIRST recipient receive awards in consecutive years?

Yes, recipients of a NYFIRST award are eligible to receive a NYFIRST award in the following year.

How are the applications evaluated?

A review panel of qualified individuals evaluates each application based on pre-determined criteria. The scoring criteria for applications have been updated to reflect the increased importance given to the strength of the Principal Investigator’s patent potential and history.

What is meant by Life Sciences Economic Development benefits?

Life Science Economic Development benefits refer to the creation, expansion, enhancement or acceleration of life sciences programs throughout the state leading to:

1. Commercialization of life sciences products, technologies, and other innovations in New York State;
2. Creation or retention of jobs in the life sciences industry employing full-time permanent employees;
3. Promotion of the life science ecosystem within a region of the state;
4. New patents in life science;
5. Additional commercial laboratory space; or
6. Additional venture capital money for life sciences entities in New York State.

How can I get answers to other questions?

The Guidelines and application form will likely answer any questions you may have. If, after reviewing these documents, you still have questions, please contact us at [email protected].

Is there a current application cycle?

A new application cycle opened on July 15, 2026 and will be open for a 12-month period closing on July 16, 2027 at 5pm. Applications can be submitted at any time during the extended 12-month period and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications can be accessed online here.

Return to NYFIRST program page.