2017 Moore Inventor Fellows

Overview:

The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation has invited UMass Amherst to submit two nominees for the 2017 Moore Inventor Fellowship program. Inspired by Gordon Moore's passion for discovery, this competition seeks to identify outstanding early-stage inventors who harness science and technology solutions to enhance scientific research, strengthen environmental conservation, or improve the experience and outcomes of patient care. 

The program focuses on inventors at a critical stage of their innovations to support their work in ways that might be missed in the current research and development ecosystem. The program seeks to provide freedom and support to promising inventors with compelling inventions to pursue their creative work.

Eligibility:

  • Candidates must be faculty, research scientists, postdocs, or other full-time staff.
  • Candidates must be within ten years of receiving the advanced terminal degree in their field (M.S., Ph.D., or M.D.).
  • Fellows must devote at least 25% of their own time to their invention.
  • Each host institution will be required to contribute $50,000 in annual direct support of the inventor's work. This can be in-kind as released time or access to special facilities for which there is normally a charge.

Award Background:

  • A three-year $675,000 award ($200,000/year for the Fellow; $25,000/year for the host institution)
  • Grant funds may support salaries; the hiring of undergraduate, graduate, and/or postdoctoral assistants; and the purchasing of services, equipment, or supplies.
  • Two nominees may be submitted per institution.
  • Approximately 5 Fellows will be selected.

To ascertain your competitiveness, we strongly suggest reviewing the inaugural cohort of Fellows

 

An internal selection committee, composed of the deans of applicants' respective schools/colleges or their designees and, if necessary, the Provost, Vice Chancellor for Research Engagement, and/or faculty with relevant expertise, will select two candidates from UMass Amherst to submit to this opportunity. The internal selection process will be informed by the Moore Inventor Fellows Program's guidelines and submission requirements

If you are interested in this program please email Michelle Wonsey a single PDF by December 19, 2016 with the following pre-proposal requirements:

1.      A two-page summary that includes your research/project:

  • Goals
  • Objectives
  • Methods
  • A short statement of competitiveness (i.e., what you think will distinguish your proposal from the competition, including anything you have done to pre-position yourself/your team for this funding opportunity)

2.      A pro forma budget, including any cost-sharing and facilities requirements and how you plan to meet them; use template: https://www.umass.edu/research/form/pro-forma-budget-template
3.      A short-form CV for the PI and each senior staff person
4.      PI's current and pending support