To apply to the Maine Ideas Fund – you will need:
- A brief summary of your project (1-2 sentences)
- A description of the problem you are addressing
- An overview of any competing or similar solutions that exist already
- A description of your proposed idea
You will need to complete the Maine Ideas Fund Entry Form by noon on November 10, 2023. If you have any problems with this form, please contact the Makerspace at makerspace@une.edu and someone will get back to you shortly. Click here to submit your application!
The Maine Ideas Fund is open to any undergraduate or graduate student currently enrolled at the University of New England.
- Teams will be given preference (but individual applicants will also be considered).
- All teams must have at least one UNE student, but may also include members from outside the University as well.
- October 2: Launch of the Maine Ideas Fund
- November 10 @ 12pm: Applications Close for Phase 1
- December 4: Recipients announced
- Jan-April: Student teams work on Phase 2
- April: Final awards announced
In Phase 1, selected individuals/teams will unlock up to $500 in funds that can be used for prototyping and developing their idea. Students do not win money in Phase 1, but resources for developing their idea. In phase 2, students will be eligible to win up to $5k.
Phase 1: Creativity
Eligible students are invited to submit an idea by noon on November 10 via the website. Awardees will receive mentorship, coaching and the ability to spend up to $500 on a prototype. All applicants will be notified of their status by December 4. Up to 10 ideas will be selected to move on.
Phase 2: Viability
Applicants selected for the final round will receive help developing their idea. In this round, individuals or teams will work to demonstrate the viability, feasibility and desirability of their ideas. Students will be required to submit a more detailed application and pitch their idea to a panel of judges.
Do you have an idea you’d like to discuss? The P.D. Merrill Makerspace is a resource available to all students to get help, advice, and support on developing your idea. Please visit our website at https://sites.une.edu/unemakerspace to learn more.
