Fordham University Selected as First Awardee of Greenlight Innovation Fund

Photo Courtesy of NYCEDC

Fordham University Awarded $3 Million to Support Creation of Workforce and Community Center Focused on Green Jobs Training, Apprenticeships, and Environmental Justice Advocacy

The Greenlight Innovation Fund Provides City Capital for Development of Spaces That Support Growth and Commercialization of Innovation Industries in the Five Boroughs

Advances New York City’s Green Economy Action Plan and “New” New York Initiative

Fordham University  was selected as the inaugural awardee of the Greenlight Innovation Fund, a $50 million dollar program that is driving development in the future-focused sectors of the life sciences, green economy, and advanced technology. The Greenlight Innovation Fund supports projects which generate good-paying jobs, support commercialization of technologies in future-focused sectors, and catalyze an ecosystem of entrepreneurs with a focus on equity. Fordham University will receive $3 million dollars from the Fund, as well as support from additional funds including a $1.1 million grant from Councilman Oswald Feliz, to create the Bronx Green Job Center (BGJC), a first-of-its kind collaborative workforce development and entrepreneurship hub that will create an equitable green-job pipeline in the heart of the Bronx.

The Greenlight Innovation Fund advances New York City’s Green Economy Action Plan, launched in February of 2024, and aims to supercharge the economy, spark cutting-edge innovation, and support nearly 400,000 jobs by 2040. Additionally, the Greenlight Innovation Fund follows through on a commitment from the “New” New York Panel’s Making New York Work for Everyone Action Plan, to support and accelerate the equitable growth of future-focused sectors.

In December 2023, NYCEDC launched the Greenlight Innovation Fund, a $50 million City capital-funded Request for Proposals (RFP) to support projects that develop spaces for innovation to thrive. These innovation industries have experienced tremendous growth over the past decade, contribute to New York’s continued economic growth and recovery, and address our society’s greatest opportunities in areas such as sustainability, healthcare, deep tech, and artificial intelligence.

Through the Greenlight Innovation Fund, the City and NYCEDC plan to make multiple awards of at least $3 million per project for the acquisition of space, construction or renovation of facilities, or purchase of equipment. The Fund recently closed its third submission round in May 2025. Future funding rounds may become available and will be posted to NYCEDC’s RFP website.

Fordham University will use the funds to renovate a university-owned, 12,946 square foot space located at 585 East Fordham Road in the Bronx and create the BGJC, which will aim to address multifaceted challenges faced by the Bronx community through a comprehensive suite of programs and services, with a particular emphasis on supporting workforce development initiatives in the green economy.

The launch of the BGJC will mark a pivotal moment for the Bronx, by providing a fully accessible hub for workforce development and economic opportunities, as well as dynamic space for community development and resource navigation serving over 25,000 community members annually. The BGJC workforce development programs are set to launch in the Fall of 2026.

About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city’s future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.