Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science

The Norman Esch Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship Awards

Do you have an new, innovative idea for a product, invention or technology, but lack the funds to make it a reality? Then apply for an Esch Award!

The Norman Esch Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship Awards provide financial assistance to current undergraduate and graduate students in the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science, and to recent FEAS graduates. The purpose of the awards is to enable new, innovative ideas for products, inventions and technologies that are relevant to the Canadian economy now and in the future.

There are three types of awards available:

• Interaction Award (Stage 1) - $5,000 - If you have an idea but need to develop a plan or determine potential market demand, this stage is for you. 
• Development Award (Stage 2) - $8,000 - If you need time and funds to develop a business plan and prototype, this is the stage for you. 
  
• Market Readiness Award (Stage 3) Up to $25,000 - If your idea is at the pre-commercialization stage but you need funds to take the final step, this is the stage for you.

Eligibility

At the time of application, applicants must be undergraduate or graduate students in the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science with a clear academic standing. For applicants from architectural science, projects and/or ideas must be related to sustainability. To be considered sustainable, these projects should aim to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Applicants who have applied to or received other awards (ex. SEB) for the same project/business idea are eligible to apply for an Esch Award, provided their application represents a different scope of work. Students on part of a team are eligible to apply, with the understanding that they are receiving the award and are responsible for the final report. Applicants with co-inventors must complete an invention disclosure form.

Should the Selection Committee determine an application is best suited toward a different award category from the one to which was applied, the Committee will consider the application in the appropriate category.

Interaction Award (Stage 1)

This award supports students in the initial ideation stages. Suitable applicants will have a promising idea but are in need of resources to consider further stages of development and/or to conduct market research to determine how to best position their idea for success in the market place. In preparation for a Stage 1 application, students should conduct research to demonstrate that the idea does not exist in the marketplace and be able to address the issues identified in the selection criteria.

The Stage 1 Esch Award will support successful applicants to develop a work plan and complete a market assessment. Up to 25 Interaction Awards of $5,000 each will be awarded on an annual basis. Recipients must report progress within four months of receiving the award. Ten per cent of the award amount will be withheld until the report is received. ^ Top of Page

Development Award (Stage 2)

This award supports students who have completed formal market research which substantiates that there is market demand for their product or service. In preparation for a Stage 2 application, students should have considered the steps required to develop their idea into a business and be able to address the issues identified in the selection criteria.

The Stage 2 Esch Award will support successful applicants to develop a business plan or an alpha or beta prototype. An alpha prototype is often the first iteration in which a sample or model is created to resemble the appearance of the intended product, but does not yet have technical functionality. A beta or gamma prototype is expected to perform with technical functionality.

Approximately 16 Development Awards at $8,000 each will be awarded annually. Recipients must report progress within six months of receiving the award. Ten per cent of the award amount will be withheld until the report is received.

If you are applying to Stage 2 and you have not previously received a Stage 1 award, you must demonstrate through your application package that you have completed an equivalent level of work. ^ Top of Page

Market Readiness Award (Stage 3)

This award supports students who have completed formal business plans and/or alpha or beta prototypes. In preparation for a Stage 3 application, students should be in a position to demonstrate that their idea has commercial potential and be able to address the issues identified in the selection criteria.

The Stage 3 Esch Award supports successful applicants to conduct market readiness assessments, obtain legal advice, complete technology transfer agreements, etc. Approximately five awards up to $25,000 each will be awarded on an annual basis. Applicants must include an expense budget outlining the total request amount and anticipated expenses. Recipients must report progress within six months of receiving the award. Ten per cent of the award amount will be withheld until the report is received.

If you are applying to Stage 3 and you have not previously received a Stage 1 or 2 award, you must demonstrate through your application package that you have completed an equivalent level of work. ^ Top of Page