Competitions

von Liebig Center NSF I-CORPS

"I-Corps prepares scientists and engineers to extend their focus beyond the laboratory, and broadens the impact of select, NSF-funded, basic-research projects.

While knowledge gained from NSF-supported basic research frequently advances a particular field of science or engineering, some results also show immediate potential for broader applicability and commercial impact. I-Corps programs help researchers translate discoveries into technologies with near-term benefits for the economy and society.

By participating in the NSF I-CORPS program , the University's research and student communities can leverage the von Liebig Entrepreneurism Center's existing commercialization infrastructure and established partnerships with the private sector, non-profit organizations, industry and entrepreneurial community in the region. This award furthers the Center's mission of catalyzing the commercialization of university discoveries, training the next generation of entrepreneurial-minded science and technology innovators, and bridging the gap between academia and the private sector. With targeted support from the Center and the NSF, the researchers have a higher probability of taking their projects to the market place."

The idea must be:

  • Original idea and work product from student/advisor team
  • Capable of being implemented as a commercial product.
  • Competitions held in Fall and Winter Quarters

Rewards:

  • You will have a chance to compete for up to $3,000 in funding!
  • Opportunity to be referred for a $50,000 NSF I-Corps team award
  • Free educational resources
  • Access to the Center's network including resources, opportunities to engage with the San Diego entrepreneur community, events, funding opportunities, and Moxie Center facilities.
  • Help commercializing your idea
  • Prestigious NSF I-Corps curriculum based on the Lean Launchpad methodology
  • Follow-on Funding Opportunities:
    • Center's technology acceleration programs ($40k-$100k)
    • SBIR programs ($150k)
    • NCIIA programs ($5k- $50k)

Application

  • Applications available before Fall and Winter quarter.

How does it work?

  1. Submit a short online application
  2. Meet with a committee to see if you qualify for $1,000 proof of concept funding
  3. Take How to Build a Startup (an online class taught by Steve Blank) and create a business model canvas with your mentor
  4. Present business model canvas to an external review panel to compete for an additional $2,000
  5. Continue refining business model canvas with mentors and develop proof of concept data or a prototype
  6. Teams may be referred to other funding opportunities including NSF I-Corps ($50,000 grant!)

For more information, visit: http://jacobsschool.ucsd.edu/vonliebig/icorps/


UCLA collegiate inventor's Competition

  • Original idea and work product from student/advisor team
  • Idea must not have been:
  1. Made available to the public as a commercial product or process
  2. Patented or published more than one year prior to the date of submission to the Competition
  • Invention must be operable and capable of being reproduced
  • Application available in Spring 2017


▹Reward

  • Three prizes, $100k per division, Unrestricted


▹Requirements for Submission

  • Your student information
  • An essay including a brief description or abstract of your invention
  • A letter of recommendation from your faculty advisor
  • A literature/patent search and summary
  • Any relevant supporting or supplemental materials you wish to submit (examples: charts, graphs, CDs or DVDs, slides, samples, etc.)


For more information, visit http://collegiateinventors.org/

https://grad.ucla.edu/funding/#viewAward/359