Funding Opportunities

Annual Lemelson-MIT Awards Programs

$500,000 Lemelson-MIT Prize: Awarded to an outstanding mid-career inventor who has developed a patented product or process of significant value to society that has also been adopted for practical use or has a high probability of being adopted.

$100,000 Lemelson-MIT Award for Global innovation: Awarded to an exceptional innovator whose technological innovations improve the lives of impoverished people in the developing world.

The deadline to nominate a candidate for the both programs is Tuesday, October 4, 2011.

For more information about the programs please visit http://web.mit.edu/invent/ or contact Ed Canton at ecanton@mit.edu.

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center FY11 SBMG Program

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center announces the launch of its FY11 Small Business Matching Grant (SBMG) Program. The Center has authorized an investment of $3 million for this round of the program, which will provide grants of “matching” support capped at $500,000 per company — to Phase II or Post Phase II SBIR or STTR grants or equivalent awarded to eligible applicant companies. Through the SBMG Program, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center will help companies that have developed new commercialization-ready technologies reach production and create jobs in the Commonwealth. Companies may apply for the SBMG through the Center’s web-based interface.

The solicitation period for applications is January 5 - February 14, 2011.

Please review the eligibility criteria before applying to this program.

To obtain more information and/or to apply to the Center’s Small Business Matching Grant Program, please visit www.masslifesciences.com.

U-Launch Awards up to $100k in Cash & Funded Services

From Fraunhofer USA, U.S. Department of Energy and more partners

U-Launch connects New England area university clean technology projects with R&D services, experienced entrepreneurs, capital sources & incubator space to accelerate start-up development. Funding comes from a $1 million Innovation Ecosystem grant by the U.S. Department of Energy, Fraunhofer USA and partner organizations including NECEC, MassCEC and the Association of Cleantech Incubators of New England (ACTION) provide major components for translational research & commercialization support.

Each award will include a customized set of funded services (R&D, business model assistance, commercialization validation, EIR services & incubation space) tailored to the needs of the company and include a cash component of up to $20,000.

First awards will be announced during Q1 of 2011; please apply now for consideration in upcoming rounds of awards in 2011.

Visit www.cse.fraunhofer.org/u-launch for more information.

2011 $500,000 Lemelson-MIT Prize

The Lemelson-MIT Program accepting applications for the 2011 $500,000 Lemelson-MIT Prize.

Are you an inventor or know someone who is? The Lemelson-MIT Program is currently seeking nominees for the 2011 $500,000 Lemelson-MIT Prize.

The Lemelson-MIT Prize is awarded to an outstanding mid-career inventor, who has developed a patented product or process of significant value to society, which has been adopted for practical use, or has a high probability of being adopted. Applications are available at http://mit.edu/invent/a-prize.html.

For more information about the award, please contact Edward Canton, Program Officer at lemelson_awards@mit.edu.

NCIIA Grants (Update)

Course and Program grants (faculty):

  • Up to $50,000
  • Inspiring change through education and technology innovation

E-Team grants (faculty and students):

  • Up to $20,000
  • Supporting emerging university inventors and entrepreneurs

Proposals due December 4, 2009

For guidelines, to apply and for more information please visit http://nciia.org/grants/courseandprogram.