Brook & Beyond Innovation Challenge

Brook & Beyond Innovation Challenge

Empowering faculty and student innovators to translate research into real-world impact.

Brook and Beyond in Action

Highlights from the 2025 Cohort and Final Pitch Event

What is Brook & Beyond?

Brook & Beyond is a milestone-based innovation program designed to help faculty and student teams move early-stage research toward measurable progress and real-world impact.

Selected teams receive:

  • Up to $50,000 in milestone-based funding per team
  • Strategic mentorship and commercialization guidance
  • Support in intellectual property development
  • Visibility across the Stony Brook and New York innovation ecosystem
Brook & Beyond 2025 cohorts

The Program Journey

1. Letter of Intent
Innovators submit a concise overview of their idea and intended impact. 

2. Semi-Finalist Application
Selected teams submit a short video and milestone-based funding plan.

3. Finalist Cohort & Acceleration Phase
Finalists take part in workshops, individualized mentorship, and collaboration with industry partners to further develop and strengthen their innovations.

4. Brook & Beyond Finale
Finalists present their innovations to a panel of judges and a live audience.

Awarded teams will receive up to $50,000 in milestone-based funding.

This is a celebration of innovation, collaboration, and translational impact across Stony Brook University.

Brook & Beyond signage

Key Dates

January - February: Letter of Intent submissions due Feb 3, 2026.

February: Semi-finalists are notified. Semifinalist applications due Feb 25, 2026

March: Finalists cohort notified March 4, 2026

March: - April Finalists participate in workshops and mentorship to further shape innovations

Spring: Finale Showcase

Michael Kinch speaking at Brook & Beyond

Brook & Beyond Frequently Asked Questions

Brook & Beyond is open to Stony Brook faculty and research teams across all disciplines. We welcome innovations in health, energy, climate, engineering, AI, and related fields. Teams are encouraged to include students, postdocs, and research staff.

February 25, 2026

March 4, 2026

The finalist Cohort receive 2-months ongoing hybrid support.

Yes, you are welcome to apply to the challenge.

If your innovation is not selected for the challenge, please don't be discouraged! Reach out to the Brook & Beyond team with your questions and consider applying again in the future. 

Yes. The program will culminate in the Brook & Beyond Finale Showcase in Spring 2026, where finalists present their innovation to a panel of judges and a live audience.

Meet the Spring 2026 Finalists

View the Finalists

Contact Us

For questions about Brook & Beyond please get in touch.

Contact The Brook & Beyond Team