INDEPENDENT INNOVATORS NETWORK
APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW!

Michigan Colleges Alliance (MCA) is pleased to announce the fourth round of its student entrepreneurship scholarship challenge – the Independent Innovators Network scholarship.  This program awards scholarships up to $7,500 based on the strength of student applications outlining a business or social entrepreneurship concept.

Download the application form

APPLY!

HOW TO APPLY
Step 1:  Identify your business or social entrepreneurship concept.
Step 2:  Ask a faculty member to be your mentor for the scholarship application.  Discuss your idea!
Step 3:  Download and complete a first draft of the “executive summary” application form outlining your new business venture idea or actionable social entrepreneurship concept.  Download the application form using the button above.
Step 4:  Review your application with your faculty mentor.
Step 5:  Submit your application form using the “Apply” button above.

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY END OF DAY, MARCH 1, 2019.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE

• All full-time undergraduate and graduate students in any major/program at MCA member colleges and universities with scholarship need.  Scholarship must be used at a MCA member college or university in an upcoming semester.
• Students must have a faculty mentor who provides guidance and reviews their plans prior to submission.  Faculty sponsor stipends of $500 will be provided for successful proposals.

OTHER FEATURES (new this year!)

• In partnership with the Ford Motor Company Fund and the Henry Ford Learning Institute, winning student-faculty teams will be eligible to participate in an overnight Design Thinking workshop to help sharpen and refine their ideas for potential marketplace application.
• Concepts with demonstrated promise following this session will receive more advanced coaching sessions next summer, as well as possible access to venture funding.
• Coaching Session in Lansing, MI:  April 12-13, 2019 – please save the date

EVALUATION

Concepts will be reviewed according to several criteria, as defined by the Independent Innovators Network Steering Committee:

• Comprehensiveness and clarity: Is the concept well thought out and clearly presented? (10 points)
• Relevance: Does the concept address a real need or problem to be solved? (25 points)
• Viability: How feasible is the concept?  Does it acknowledge challenges or obstacles? (25 points)
• Innovation: Does the concept address the business or social need in a unique, differentiated way? (40 points)

TIMELINE

March 1, 2019 – Student applications due to MCA office

March 15, 2019 – Campus/student notifications of scholarship winners

April 12-13, 2019 – Design Thinking workshop in Lansing for winning student-faculty teams (invitees to be announced, please hold the date)

Scholarship funds will be remitted directly to the college or university for tuition and fees and/or room and board for an upcoming semester at a MCA member college or university only.  Scholarship may not exceed student’s financial gap.

QUESTIONS?  Contact Marcie Levey at mlevey@michigancolleges.org