Sponsor
Sony Group Corporation ("Sony")
Program
Description
The Sony Research Award Program supports cutting-edge academic research that aligns with Sony’s broad technological and creative interests. Open to faculty at eligible institutions, the program encourages collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, sensing, sustainability, materials science and digital health. It offers two award tracks—one for innovative, exploratory research and another for projects closely aligned with Sony’s immediate R&D priorities.
This opportunity is ideal for faculty seeking to advance impactful research with potential real-world applications, while engaging with a global technology leader.
Eligibility
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Principal Investigators (PIs) must:
- Be full-time faculty or researchers (assistant, associate, or full professors).
- Be eligible to supervise PhD students at their institution.
- Be affiliated with a university, educational institution, or governmental/non-profit research institute.
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Eligible Countries:
- Canada, United States, India, United Kingdom, and many countries in Europe (e.g., Germany, France, Sweden, Switzerland, etc.).
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Co-PIs:
- Must be from the same institution as the PI.
- Must meet the same eligibility criteria.
- Will be required to sign program documents if the proposal is selected.
Funding Availability
Faculty Innovation Award
- Supports exploratory or foundational research in Sony’s general areas of interest.
- Provides up to $100,000 USD per year.
Focused Research Award
- Targets specific research themes that align closely with Sony’s immediate R&D priorities.
- Provides up to $150,000 USD per year
Indirect Costs
40% as per the University of Guelph Full Cost of Research Policy.
The proposed budget must include 40% indirect costs and cannot exceed $150K USD for the Focused Research Award and $100K USD for the Faculty Innovation Award.
Project Duration
The duration of funding for the Sony Research Award Program is typically one year. However, in some cases, projects may be eligible for renewal based on mutual interest and satisfactory progress, though this is not guaranteed and would require a new agreement or extension.
Special Notes
Submission Terms and Conditions
Please review the 2025 Sony Research Award Program Submission Terms and Conditions before working on a proposal.
Important terms to know:
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Do not include any confidential or proprietary information in your proposal. By submitting, you grant Sony full rights to use the content of your proposal, which is considered non-confidential. Sony may already be working on similar ideas and is not obligated to use or return your submission. You retain the right to use your proposal elsewhere. If you’re not comfortable with these terms, do not submit.
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If your proposal is selected, the University of Guelph will negotiate a formal research agreement with Sony. Intellectual property (IP) rights are negotiable, but Sony and its affiliates will require noncommercial rights to use the research results and any necessary background IP. If an agreement on IP terms cannot be reached, the award will not be granted.
Deadlines
If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.
| Type | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Internal Deadline | Please submit your proposal, along with an OR-5 Form to research.services@uoguelph.ca. | |
External Deadline | Applicant is responsible for submitting the online proposal. |