The IGB Early Innovator Program (EIP) is a 10-week summer program hosted by the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB) designed to teach participants the skills necessary to become innovative leaders in their fields, and to support IGB scientists in considering creative ways to bring science to society. Trainees will learn from subject matter experts about the process of innovation, protecting and developing discoveries beyond the laboratory, and bringing new technologies and services to the marketplace.
To be considered for the Early Innovator Program (EIP), applicants must be University of Illinois graduate students or postdoctoral researchers doing work related to an IGB theme.
Apply here for the IGB Early Innovator Program.
Time commitment: The program begins meeting the week of May 13. Participants should expect to meet for one weekly two-hour session for the duration of the 10-week program, plus additional time outside of class to apply the concepts discussed in sessions and prepare their final presentations. The program will conclude at the end of July, final date to be determined.
The summer session will culminate in a product pitch competition with up to $10,000 in proof-of-concept funding for the top winners!
The program will include sessions about:
- Market analysis and customer discovery
- Invention disclosures
- Intellectual property
- Regulatory considerations
- Building professional networks
- Personal branding and storytelling
Participants will have opportunities to interact with peers and staff members from other campus entrepreneurship programs.
IGB is working in partnership with iVenture, the Technology Entrepreneur Center (TEC) and Research Park’s Entrepreneur in Residence program to provide a more comprehensive experience for our future entrepreneurs across campus.
Stories about past cohorts:
Young Innovator program successfully concludes its second year
Graduate students awarded for their innovative proposals
