Department of Orthopedic Surgery Innovation Fund

Applications for the 2026 - 2027 cycle are currently closed.

The Department of Orthopedic Surgery Innovation Fund provides non-dilutive grant support for orthopedic surgery faculty projects advancing towards commercial launch. The program is designed to support Columbia University IP-backed projects with strong, near-term commercial potential.

Across three funding cycles, the program has awarded more than $547,000 in project funding. The program is fully funded by the Columbia Department of Orthopedic Surgery. 

Funding Priorities & Eligibility

Eligible applicants are required to be members or affiliates of the Columbia Department of Orthopedic Surgery, or collaborators of the department on technologies with applications in orthopedic surgery.

  • Projects should be translational in nature with strong commercial potential
  • Funding is intended to de-risk and validate early-stage innovations through prototype development, feasibility studies, workflow pilots, and early clinical or operational validation
  • Advanced translational projects are also eligible for support, including awards for activities such as in vivo validation, regulatory planning, and CRO/CMO engagement
  • Projects and awards are organized around clear, achievable milestones that meaningfully advance partnering, licensing, startup formation, or clinical adoption
  • Projects must be backed by Columbia University intellectual property

Read more about funded projects below:

Featured Projects

About Proscope
  • Dr. Bonnie Chien: Comparison of Nitinol Staples of Various Widths and Depths in Stabilization of Tarsometatarsal Joint and Lisfranc Injuries
  • Dr. Thomas Bottiglieri: Proscope, A Quantitative Assessment of Oculomotor Function in Normal Subjects and Subjects with Disorders of the Oculomotor System (follow-on funding)
  • Dr. Michael Vitale & Dr. Varun Arvind: Prospective Clinical Validation of an AI-Driven Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Platform (Signal Sentry) in Spine Surgery
  • Dr. Thomas Bottiglieri: ProScope: Validation of Spectral Head-Motion Biomarkers for Objective Sport-Related Concussion Diagnosis — Phase 2 Clinical Expansion and Mobile Platform Development
  • Dr. Nadeen Chahine & Elyse Fleck: Translation potential of tissue engineered total disc replacements with stabilizers
  • Dr. Nadeen Chahine & Dr. Min Kyu Kim: Targeted Clodronate Liposome as a Therapeutic for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration