Converge Fund

The Institute for Convergent Science’s Converge Fund is designed to unleash the entrepreneurial excellence of faculty by clearing away bureaucratic or other obstacles to success. Fund amounts range from $10,000 to $30,000 per year.

Selection Criteria

• The application must clearly identify an invention or technology that, if developed, has the potential for broad impact as a commercial or social innovation. Half of the selection weight will be based on an assessment of the significance of the invention or technology.
• The application must explain how the funds will contribute to the project by clearing obstacles created by lack of time, space, or support that are hindering the faculty or their research group in their development work. Thirty percent of the selection weight will be based on the likelihood that the funds requested will significantly improve the ability of the PI to develop the invention or technology.
• The application must include the amount of funding requested and explain why that amount is sufficient. Twenty percent of the selection weight will be based on the appropriateness and sufficiency of the funds to accomplish the desired objective.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by the faculty director of convergent science, the Institute for Convergent Science leadership team, and the Institute for Convergent Science advisory board. Funding decisions will be made by the faculty director in consultation with the other reviewers.