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NEW - Graduate Impact Award Program

This is a program for ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ’s Faculty of Engineering research-based graduate students which aims to train and support the next generation of researchers to better understand the potential societal and commercial impact of their research and increase their entrepreneurial mindset and skills.

It is designed for graduate students without previous research commercialization training or experience, but whose research is relevant for being applied to society and the marketplace.

Through lectures, workshops, and assignments every week based on their progress, along with primary market research via interviews, each student will share their findings with the cohort and receive feedback from experts and their peers. Students will be encouraged to use the open collaboration space at the ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Engine Centre.

The 10-week program will include the following expert-led workshops along with peer-to-peer interactions:

Held every Wednesday 3-5pm at the ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Engine Centre, starting January 29, 2025 and concluding April 2, 2025

  1. Technological Innovation and Entrepreneurship 101
  2. Industry Analysis
  3. Market Research
  4. Intellectual Property
  5. Design Thinking
  6. Problem Definition and Needs Analysis
  7. Business Model Canvas
  8. Value Proposition Canvas
  9. Customer Segments
  10. Lessons Learned Presentations

Minimum of 10 hours per week of participation in the program is required. This includes the workshops, lectures, assignments, regular weekly meetings with the assigned mentor, and customer discovery interviews.

Up to 5 awards of $2000 each for 5 eligible graduate students, upon program completion. These inaugural awards are called the Douglas Van Graduate Impact Award, after the generous donor.

Eligible students are research-based Master’s and PhDs enrolled at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ’s Faculty of Engineering and that have mostly completed or completed any course requirements.

To apply to the program, please complete the , which includes a description of your research project and your interest and experience in research commercialization. It will also require attaching your CV and your letter of support from your supervisor.

Applicants must commit to participating fully in the program.

Selection Criteria:

  • Interest in conceptualizing a new product, service, or venture based on their research.
  • Just starting to consider how to translate your research into a new product, service, or venture.
  • Research is relevant for being applied to society and the marketplace.

Application submission deadline: January 12, 2025 at 11:59 PM (ET)

Students will be notified whether they have been selected to enter the program by January 24, 2025.

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