This funding is primarily for early stage E-Teams that form within a course. Grant funds may be used for supplies, equipment, or expenses related to project development in the initial stages of E-Team projects. Grants will be awarded to the institution under the supervision of the applicant administering the course or program, who will be responsible for having the funds distributed to the E-Teams as needed. Any equipment or other resources purchased with grant funds will become the property of the institution. With the exception of limited stipends, these grants do not fund faculty salaries.
Institutional overhead is also an ineligible expense.
Faculty from all academic disciplines as well as managers and administrators of business development and technology transfer entities affiliated with a university or college are encouraged to apply. A major focus of the proposed program or course, however, must be the generation of applied innovations that have entrepreneurial potential. An interdisciplinary senior mechanical and electrical engineering course that emphasizes product development, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Guest lecturers discuss various topics including intellectual property, venture capital, inventing, and entrepreneurship. The course is also taken for credit by MBA students who help the E-Teams develop business plans.