Announcing BIDMC “Ignition Grants”
Deadline: June 23, 2025
The BIDMC Ignition Grants will accelerate technologies for commercialization, create new ventures, establish industry-sponsored translational research collaborations, and train researchers in entrepreneurship. The program is supported by philanthropic contributions and institutional funding from the Office of the Chief Academic Officer, BIDMC/BILH. It is managed by the Technology Ventures Office (TVO).
This new program funds proof-of-concept and validation studies of valuable innovations at BIDMC. The recipient(s) will receive funding up to $100K to conduct work over 6-12 months to advance projects to the next inflection point and attract interest from industry partners and investors.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicant must currently be a full-time BIDMC faculty member at BIDMC.
- Research areas must be in the scope of the Translational Research Hubs and must be directed toward a therapeutic, diagnostic, or device product (Software or AI-based inventions are not eligible). The proposal must be focused on advancing the innovation towards commercialization. Funding cannot be used for basic exploratory studies or as general funding for the applicant’s lab.
- Applicant must have an invention disclosure on file with the Technology Ventures Office (TVO) or be prepared to file an invention disclosure if requested by TVO.
- The background research, which provides the basis for the proposal, must not be encumbered by any other prior obligations that would preclude BIDMC from moving forward with commercialization (i.e., exclusively licensed, or rights already committed under the terms of a sponsored research agreement or an ongoing collaboration with an industrial partner).
- The background intellectual property (IP) underlying the innovation must be owned by BIDMC or co-owned by BIDMC and another academic institution. If co-owned with another academic institution, BIDMC must be the lead institution. If you are unsure on this point, please check with TVO before submitting.
- Applicant may participate in multiple Ignition-funded proposals per funding year, but an applicant can only receive one Ignition-funded grant.
- Applicant will forfeit the remaining funds if they leave BIDMC during the funding period.
Application Information
The application will be a multi-step process that takes about three months:
Step 1: Submit a Brief Letter of Intent (LOI)
- Click here to submit LOI online
- Deadline: Monday, June 23, 2025, 5:00 PM ET
Step 2: External Expert Advisers Select LOIs for Pitch Presentations
- LOIs are reviewed by external expert advisors.
- Selected applicants will be notified in July and asked to submit pitch presentations in preparation for Committee selection.
- Click here for pitch template (Available in July)
- Click here to submit your pitch slides (Available in July)
- Pitch slides due to TVO for internal review: Monday, July 28, 2025, 5:00 PM ET
- Meetings with TVO to review pitch deck must take place by Friday, August 15, 2025
- Final pitch slides due to TVO: Monday, August 25, 2025, 5:00 PM ET
Step 3: “Pitch It” at the September 9 Research Retreat
- 3-4 pitches will be selected for the final selection round.
- Additional training with TVO/Selection Committee.
- In-person pitch at the 2025 BIDMC Research Retreat: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Step 4: Final Decisions by the Selection Committee will be announced no later than one week after the Retreat, with the “Pitch It” presentation considered as part of the final decision.
Step 5: Tracking Progress and Impact
- Funding for 6-12 months and based on milestones
- Progress and final reports (i.e., monthly reports/meetings with selected members of TVO/External Advisers/Selection Committee)
- Track impact (e.g., patent application filing, licensing, start-up, or SRA)
Please contact Cindy Wong, PhD, Senior Alliance & Business Development Specialist at cwong2@bidmc.harvard.edu in the TVO with questions. Thank you.