The Forum seeks to stimulate the challenging Ph.D.s in the sciences, liberal arts, and engineering disciplines to examine their best research in light of its real world applications. Just as important, the Innovation Grants Competition seeks to make academic research more accessible and relevant to the public at large. The Forum hopes that applicants will embrace this challenge to step outside their familiar environment and look for the unexplored and underappreciated value of their research. Rather than emphasizing the complexity of their research, successful entrants will take the time and care to communicate that value in a compelling and succinct way and present the key steps necessary to transform their ideas into successful commercial enterprises. In addition to receiving cash awards, winner may be introduced to leading entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to discuss their ideas if they so desire.
Entrants retain all intellectua property rights to their work.
The Competition is designed to encourage innovative thinking. Merrill Lynch does not use or share the proposals for its own commercial ventures. D. candidates who have successfully completed their dissertations are eligible. Individuals pursuing doctoral degrees in schools of business, law, or journalism are not eligible. However winning applicants are free to seek such funding after that date.