Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission (IGEM) Grant Program

Where Opportunity Meets Expertise.

Nurturing and evolving an idea takes a lot of passion, funding, and research, which IGEM can help you gain.

The IGEM – Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission – grant program funds commercialization research, where university researchers and business experts partner together to bring viable technologies to market.

The IGEM program is a powerful force in the growth of Idaho’s economy. Through its support of commercialization partnerships, IGEM invests in the development of new businesses and supports Idaho’s research facilities, creating new products, companies, and high-value jobs while increasing the research capacity of Idaho’s universities.

The IGEM-Commerce Grant Program funds commercialization research partnerships where university investigators and private sector business experts partner together to bring viable technologies (concepts, prototypes, and services) to market. By funding university research that can propel Idaho-based technologies toward commercialization, IGEM-Commerce makes investments in developing new business ventures, creating new products and high-value jobs, while supporting the research capacity of Idaho’s universities. To be eligible for an IGEM-Commerce grant, an established partnership must exist between Idaho State University and at least one industry partner; additional collaboration with BSU and UI is encouraged, but not required.

The Office of Sponsored Programs invites eligible faculty to submit a concept paper indicating your interest in submitting an application to the IGEM grant program. 

Important Dates and Deadlines

Round 2 

Round 3

Important Industry Partner Requirements

All proposals must have an Industry Partner and “all approved awards are required to include a monetary or in-kind contribution from the Industry Partner.” IDAPA §28.02.07 (301). As defined, an Industry Partner “designs, produces, or sells goods or services or that contractually agrees to undertake such acts in connection with technologies licensed or otherwise transferred to the entity by a University.” IDAPA 28.02.07(010.07).

Specifically, Industry Partners on IGEM proposal are required to:

Make a contribution to the project, whether monetary or in-kind;

Contribute market information, business and strategic plans, and other required information to the proposal;

Present before the IGEM-Commerce Council, if the proposed project is selected for in-person review; and

Negotiate with Idaho State University in good faith to license and commercialize the research outputs of the IGEM-Commerce funded

Please note: NO MONEY CAN GO TO THE INDUSTRY PARTNER

Concept paper submission portal

Please submit your concept paper here.

Concept paper guidelines

1. Project narrative
   1. Project summary: Provide a summary of the proposed project. (250 word limit)
   2. Aims and objectives: Describe the goals of the proposed project.(250 word limit)
   3. Please explain the technology, product, or service you wish to commercialize. What will the research prove/disprove, quantify, validate, etc.? .(250 word limit)
2. Name of industry partner
3. Industry partner website
4. Does the proposal involve ISU Facilities Services?
5. Does the proposal involve another institution?
6. Does the proposal involve technology development?
7. Financial commitments from the institution?
8. Industry partner financial commitments?
9. Institutional commitments?
10. Names of ISU Co-PI(s).
11. Supporting documentation:
    1. Biographical Sketch (NIH or NSF approved format)

Proposal Review

An internal committee will be selected based on the expertise needed to review the pre-proposals that are received. The committee will rank and make recommendations to the Acting Vice President for Research, who will make the final decision.

Questions

If you have any questions about this process or the IGEM program in general, please contact Steve Wright at 282-2593 or stevewright@isu.edu