Overview
Florida's Capital Region offers a strong applied sciences ecosystem anchored by Florida State University, Florida A&M University, the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Innovation Park, and regional research partners. From advanced materials and magnetics to pharmaceutical sciences, agricultural technology, computational research, environmental science, and biomedical innovation, Tallahassee provides distinctive assets for companies, researchers, and entrepreneurs seeking applied research, university-industry collaboration, and commercialization opportunities. The region's growing healthcare and academic health activity also creates crossover opportunities in biomedical innovation, health technology, clinical research, public health, and data-driven care.
Why Tallahassee for Applied Sciences
- The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at FSU is the world's largest and highest-powered magnet laboratory, creating unique research opportunities in magnetics, materials science, physics, chemistry, biology, biomedical imaging, and advanced instrumentation
- FSU, FAMU, and regional partners support research commercialization, sponsored research, licensing, startup formation, workforce development, and university-industry collaboration
- FAMU brings major strengths in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, public health, agricultural research, and health disparities
- The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering provides applied research and talent in mechanical, electrical, chemical, civil, biomedical, and industrial engineering
- UF/IFAS Extension Leon County and regional agricultural partners support applied agricultural, environmental, natural resource, and food systems innovation
- Innovation Park, the MagLab, FSU, FAMU, and related research assets create opportunities for advanced materials, energy, scientific instrumentation, health technology, AgTech, and commercialization partnerships
- SBIR/STTR, university research partnerships, technology transfer, and federal research programs may support eligible applied sciences companies, depending on current program rules and availability
Key Assets
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL)
The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at FSU is the world's largest and highest-powered magnet laboratory. Funded by the National Science Foundation and the State of Florida, the MagLab supports cutting-edge research in materials science, condensed matter physics, chemistry, biology, biomedical imaging, magnet technology, and scientific instrumentation, with potential applications for industry and research partners.
Visit WebsiteFSU Research Foundation / FSU Office of Research
FSU's research and technology transfer ecosystem supports sponsored research, intellectual property, licensing, commercialization, startup formation, and industry collaboration. Companies interested in FSU-developed technologies or research partnerships should connect with the appropriate FSU research, commercialization, or technology transfer office.
Visit WebsiteFAMU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health
FAMU's College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health is a major HBCU health sciences asset with programs and research activity in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, public health, drug delivery, health disparities, and underserved communities. It can be a valuable partner for companies and organizations working in life sciences, public health, pharmaceutical research, and health innovation.
Visit WebsiteInnovation Park of Tallahassee
Innovation Park of Tallahassee is North Florida's premier research park, with more than 1 million square feet of space in 17 buildings and over 30 organizations, including university research facilities, specialty manufacturing companies, and state and federal government research spaces. It is a key location for research, technology, applied sciences, advanced manufacturing, and commercialization activity.
Visit WebsiteFSU High Performance Computing Center
FSU's High Performance Computing Center supports computational research across disciplines, including simulation, AI/ML, modeling, bioinformatics, materials science, data-intensive research, and scientific computing. Companies should explore appropriate university partnership pathways for industry collaboration.
Visit WebsiteUF/IFAS Extension Leon County
UF/IFAS Extension Leon County provides research-based education and applied expertise in agriculture, natural resources, horticulture, food systems, water quality, land management, and environmental stewardship. It is a useful regional partner for AgTech, environmental science, food systems, and natural resource innovation.
Visit WebsiteFAMU-FSU College of Engineering
The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering is a joint engineering college serving both universities, with research and talent development across chemical, civil, electrical, computer, industrial, biomedical, and mechanical engineering. It is a key asset for companies seeking applied research, engineering talent, and university-industry collaboration.
Visit WebsiteFlorida Forestry Association / Forest Products Research
North Florida's forestry and natural resource economy creates opportunities for applied research in sustainable forestry, biomass, wood products, land management, environmental science, and rural economic development. Companies should connect with regional forestry, university, and state partners to explore specific opportunities.
Visit WebsiteLaunch Tally
Launch Tally helps make the Capital Region's technology and innovation ecosystem more visible by identifying and connecting local technology companies, founders, events, and innovation assets. It can support applied sciences companies looking to understand the local innovation landscape.
Visit WebsiteTalTech Alliance
TalTech Alliance connects technology and innovation leaders across the Capital Region through events, networking, advocacy, and ecosystem development. It can be a useful partner for applied sciences companies working at the intersection of research, technology, commercialization, and talent.
Visit WebsiteIncentives
State and Local Incentives
State and local incentive programs change over time. Applied sciences, life sciences, research, advanced materials, AgTech, environmental science, biomedical, and technology companies should contact the Office of Economic Vitality and FloridaCommerce to confirm current programs, eligibility thresholds, job creation requirements, wage standards, capital investment requirements, application timelines, and local match considerations.
SBIR/STTR Support
Applied sciences companies may be able to access federal SBIR/STTR funding and related support through Florida's innovation ecosystem, including FL FAST, university partners, and regional support organizations. Companies should confirm current matching funds, technical assistance, eligibility requirements, and application timelines before relying on a state match.
Research & Development Tax Credit
Florida offers a corporate income tax credit for eligible businesses based on 10% of excess qualified research expenses over a statutory base amount. Applied sciences, life sciences, pharmaceutical, biomedical, advanced materials, environmental science, AgTech, and technology companies should confirm eligibility, caps, application windows, and availability with FloridaCommerce, the Florida Department of Revenue, and qualified tax advisors.
Opportunity Zone Investment
Leon County includes multiple federally designated Opportunity Zones. Research, lab, office, technology, mixed-use, and applied sciences projects located in eligible census tracts may be able to benefit from federal Opportunity Zone rules. Companies and investors should verify tract eligibility and current federal requirements before relying on Opportunity Zone benefits.
University Research and Technology Licensing
FSU, FAMU, and other regional academic partners may offer opportunities for sponsored research, technology transfer, licensing, student engagement, workforce partnerships, startup formation, and SBIR/STTR-related collaboration. Applied sciences companies should connect with the appropriate university office, department, or research partner to explore fit.
Federal Research Partnership Opportunities
Companies collaborating with NHMFL, FSU, FAMU, the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, or other regional research partners may find opportunities to participate in federally funded research, consortia, sponsored projects, or public-private research collaborations. Opportunities vary by agency, research area, eligibility, and funding cycle.
Success Stories
World-Class Research Infrastructure in Tallahassee
The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at FSU is the world's largest and highest-powered magnet laboratory and a major national research asset. Its work in magnet technology, materials science, chemistry, physics, biology, biomedical imaging, and scientific instrumentation gives the Capital Region a distinctive platform for applied research, university-industry collaboration, and advanced technology development.
Universities as a Pipeline for Applied Science Partnerships
FSU and FAMU research, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer activity continue to create opportunities for commercialization, startup formation, licensing, and industry collaboration across fields such as health technology, cybersecurity, materials science, pharmaceutical sciences, agricultural technology, computational research, and engineering.
Applied Research Across Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources
Applied agricultural, forestry, and environmental research through UF/IFAS Extension, FAMU, FSU, forestry partners, and regional organizations creates opportunities in precision agriculture, soil science, food systems, sustainable forestry, biomass, water quality, and natural resource technology across North Florida.
Research Assets Supporting Applied Science and Advanced Manufacturing
The Capital Region's combination of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, FSU, FAMU, Innovation Park, the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, and related research assets creates a distinctive platform for companies working in magnetics, advanced materials, energy, scientific instrumentation, and applied manufacturing.
Key Contacts
Connect with an Applied Sciences Advisor
Connect with the Concierge Assistant or submit a support request for personalized guidance.