MathWorks Call for Research Proposals

Advancing technological research with MATLAB and Simulink

About

MathWorks is dedicated to supporting researchers in accelerating the impact of their work, contributing to the broader research community and driving progress in engineered systems.

We invite principal investigators (PIs) to submit research proposals aimed at advancing technological innovations and addressing industry-specific challenges. The MathWorks Call for Research Proposals seeks submissions across various topics, such as:

A building featuring large windows and a contemporary design is surrounded by greenery, with a curved road in the foreground. — The MathWorks Lakeside campus in Natick, Massachusetts.

Aerospace and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

Automotive and electric vehicles (EVs)

Wireless communication and radar systems

Energy production systems

Industrial automation and machinery

Robotics and autonomous systems

Medical devices

Important Dates

March 3–May 30, 2025

Submission period

(Proposals are due May 30, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. EDT.)

June 2025

Awards panel review

July 2025

Award recipients announced

Award Details

Selected PIs may receive up to $20,000 (USD). Awards are structured as one-year unrestricted gifts. The final amount will be determined by the awards panel.

Eligibility

Applicants must be current full-time faculty at an accredited academic institution that awards research degrees to Ph.D. students.

Applicants must be the PI on any resulting award.

Award recipients are expected to have identified a commercial partner that is willing to collaborate on the proposed project. The commercial partner can be an organization, company, or entity that operates within the relevant industry or market. A letter of intent from the commercial partner indicating its commitment to collaborate on the project should be provided with the proposal.

Proposal Requirements

A summary of the project (one to two pages), in English, explaining the area of focus and techniques; describe the use of MATLAB and Simulink products in conducting the proposed work, the potential impact on applicable industries that can leverage research outcomes, and any relevant prior work

A timeline with milestones and expected outcomes

A draft budget listing the approximate cost of the research and an explanation of how funds would be spent

A curriculum vitae for each project participant

PI organization details (tax and administrative contact information)

A letter of intent from the commercial partner indicating a commitment to collaborate

Please refer to the program expectations for additional information

How to Apply

When you’re ready to submit your proposal, upload the required files using the submission form.

Submit a proposal

Frequently Asked Questions

Awards are structured as one-year unrestricted gifts and funding is not extendable. Applicants may submit new proposals for subsequent calls.

PIs may submit only one proposal ahead of each deadline.

Project proposals will be reviewed by an internal awards panel, and the results will be communicated approximately two months after the submission deadline. We will contact the primary PI listed on each proposal and make an announcement on the MathWorks website.

Each research award recipient will be assigned a MathWorks account engineer. Researchers are encouraged to maintain regular communication with their MathWorks contact to discuss ongoing research and seek technical help. We also encourage publishing the outcome of the project and committing any related code to open-source code repositories such as GitHub and File Exchange on MATLAB Central.

Funding is distributed as an unrestricted gift. As such, the funding does not result in any transfer or license of any intellectual property rights. Please refer to the program expectations for more information.

The commercial partner can be an organization, company, or entity that operates within the relevant industry or market. We encourage PIs to submit with their proposal a letter of intent from the commercial partner—on the organization’s letterhead—indicating its commitment to collaborate on the project.

Proposals will be accepted twice a year, during spring and fall. If you want to be notified when the next submission window is open, please add yourself to the notification request list.