Faculty Resources

CHA accelerates health innovation by connecting academia and medicine. Community Health Advocacy (CHA) is a partnership between UIC and the Jump Simulation & Education Center at OSF HealthCare that brings together faculty researchers and health care professionals to develop innovative solutions to health-related problems in an urban community. CHA accepts proposals twice annually – in the spring and fall. Projects are vetted by experts from UIC and OSF HealthCare. Selected projects will receive one year of funding up to $100,000 with the option to reapply for additional funding after the project is successfully completed.

The CTRI program provides up to $25,000 to help prepare early stage projects for licensing and startup opportunities. Successful completion of the CTRI program prepares projects for future funding opportunities that support commercialization. The program is managed in partnership with the Office of Technology Management. CTRI prepares UIC researchers for future funding and licensing opportunities.

Are you interested in taking your innovative idea, technology, or process commercial? UIC is an affiliate with the Great Lakes Region NSF I-Corps Hub which provides opportunities for students and faculty to participate in events at UIC and throughout the region. The purpose of the NSF-funded I-Corps Hub Program is to foster entrepreneurship that will lead to the commercialization of technology and to develop team readiness for the teams going on to the I-Corps National I-Corps program.

UIC Innovation Mentors are a crucial part of building an inclusive entrepreneurial community where all students have access to the support and resources they need to learn, grow, and succeed as entrepreneurs. Faculty have the chance to engage in our mentoring program to help students refine their business idea leading up to the Blaze Venture Challenge with mentorship and real-time support.