Speed Networking Meetup
Details
Location
College of Medicine Research Building (COMRB), Room 6175, 909 S. Wolcott
Date
Friday, September 26, 2025
Time
12:00 – 3:30 PM
Agenda
12:00-12:45: Lunch
1:00-2:30: Structured speed networking
2:30-3:30: Unstructured networking
RSVP Requirement
All UIC faculty researching in the areas of functional or regenerative materials are invited. An RSVP is required. See below to register.
About the Meetup
The UIC Institute for Functional and Regenerative Materials (IFRM) announces its 2025 Speed Networking Event to encourage new collaborations in functional and regenerative materials. Open to any all UIC faculty researching in these areas, attendees of the event will meet other researchers in a structured rotation to exchange their research interests, resources, and challenges, followed by free time to connect with researchers of interest. Attendees will then have one month to collaborate on a white paper to compete for IFRM seed funding to support a new project.
Registration is required to attend, and a list of all attendees — including contact info, research areas, and resources — will be distributed to the group after the conclusion of the event. A sandwich lunch with a vegetarian/halal-friendly option will be provided.
Seed Funding Opportunity
Only attendees of the networking event will be eligible to receive the award. Attendees should seek out collaborators during and after the event and complete a 1-2 page white paper outlining their proposal over the period of one month. All attendees will have the chance to vote on the white papers. The top two white papers will be awarded seed funding awards of up to $10,000. Additional details about the white paper, voting process, and award distribution will be presented at and following the event.