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?
- Submit a short online application
- Meet with a committee to see if you qualify for $1,000 proof of concept funding
- Take How to Build a Startup (an online class taught by Steve Blank) and create a business model canvas with your mentor
- Present business model canvas to an external review panel to compete for an additional $2,000
- Continue refining business model canvas with mentors and develop proof of concept data or a prototype
- 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:
- Made available to the public as a commercial product or process
- 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