Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Moore Inventor Fellows Program

Key Dates

Oct 15, 2021 - MUSC Internal Deadline for Concept Papers
Nov 12, 2021 - Moore Inventors Fellows Program, Letter of Intent Deadline
Dec 13, 2021 - Moore Inventors Fellows Program, Full Proposal Deadline

Program Description

The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation announces the 2021-2022 competition for Moore Inventor Fellows. 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 Moore Inventor Fellows program recognizes inventors at select research universities and organizations. The fellowship focuses on early-career faculty at select research universities, medical schools, and selected non-academic environmental research and patient care institutions, MUSC is invited to nominate two individuals for the 2022 competition.

The scope of this call is intentionally wide: proposed projects do not need to fall within our current funding priorities but should be broadly within the program areas of foundation interest (science, environmental conservation, and patient care). The exception is for nominees proposing ideas and inventions that target patient care. Within this realm, we seek overlap with our current emphasis on improving the experience and outcomes of patients, including solutions in the areas of diagnostic excellence, medication safety in the community, and community-based serious illness care.

The Foundation aims to support inventions at an early stage that could lead to proof-of-concept work on an invention or advance an existing prototype that tackles an important problem. They seek innovations with the promise of making a long-lasting impact by addressing underlying problems in their field, but a clear path toward commercialization is not a requirement. They are not interested in supporting projects that are already at a stage where significant venture capital is available. As with all our grants, we seek to measure progress toward a defined goal during the three years of support. The foundation’s policy is that intellectual property that results from a grant must be managed and disseminated in a manner that leads to the greatest impact. Each award will include Intellectual Property terms to reflect the needs of that project.

The Fellows program recognizes that real invention can take surprising turns, so we seek creative individuals who have big ideas, deep knowledge, and the courage to take smart risks. They recognize that inventors and innovators come from a diversity of backgrounds, disciplines, and experiences, and seek creative individuals across a broad array of academic programs and research departments. Examples of such programs include, but are not limited to environmental science and conservation, oceanography, biology, engineering, physics, chemistry, neuroscience, public health, and gerontology.

Foundation Guidelines

Eligibility

MUSC will be eligible to submit two applications. Outstanding early-stage inventors who harness science and technology solutions to enhance scientific research. Candidates must be no more than 10 years past receiving the terminal advanced degree in their field (M.S., Ph.D. or M.D.).

Budget Information

Fellows will receive funding for three years at a level of $200,000 per year from the Moore Foundation. In addition to funds for the fellow, the foundation will provide $25,000 each year to the institution to cover costs associated with administering the grant award, resulting in a total three-year award of $675,000. Host institutions will be required to make a contribution of $50,000 in annual support of the inventor’s work.

MUSC Call for Concept Papers

Interested investigators should submit their pre-applications via the MUSC InfoReady Review system. This site facilitates the management of pre-applications/nominations, internal review processes, and sharing of outcomes. To access the InfoReady Review system, click the provided link, enter your MUSC netID, and fill out the requested information. Your proposal will be accessible only to ORD staff and faculty reviewers. Please include the following information (1-5) as a single PDF attachment.

1. Name of nominee, a brief description of the invention, keywords describing the invention.
2. Nominee College, department, and contact information.
3. Statement of Invention (no more than 2 pages, including citations; single-spaced, 12-point font with one-inch margins.) The first paragraph should describe clearly and without jargon the invention, the problem it seeks to address, and its potential impact. The statement of the invention should also include the following information: a) description of the invention, b) importance to science, environmental conservation, or patient care (please select one choice under the basic nominee section), c) stage of invention, d) current funding, e) feasibility, f) risk (please describe any technical risks that might lower chances of success and what you will do mitigate these risks. For example, “If A doesn't work, we'll do B.”), g) potential impact, and h) approach for measuring progress during the grant term.
4. Letter from your Chair to include a statement of the institution’s plan to assure the nominee has at least 25 percent of their time to devote to their invention and $50,000 in annual direct support of the inventor’s work.
5. Curriculum Vitae (no more than two pages) to include educational and professional background, key accomplishments, honors and demonstrated areas of expert knowledge, and other background information relevant to this invention.