The InvenTeams Year at a Glance

Application Period
Applying for InvenTeams grants is a two-tiered process. Initial applications are available in the fall of each year and due in the spring of the following year. After applicants are reviewed, a select number of applicants to selected as Excite Award recipients and chosen to complete a second application due in September. New InvenTeams grantees are announced in October. Read more about the application process.

Training
Excite Award recipients are invited to the InvenTeams Odyssey, the capstone event for the current year's InvenTeams at MIT. Recipients learn about the InvenTeams experience first-hand and attend workshops on the invention process (PDPs will be awarded). Travel, food and lodging are provided for Excite Award recipients. Teachers may request a mini-grant up to $250 to help develop their final InvenTeams applications.

Grants Awarded
InvenTeams grants are awarded in October of each year. The teams have until June to complete their projects, which they unveil at the InvenTeams Odyssey, a culminating event hosted at MIT.

St. Paul's School InvenTeam (2006)

Getting Started
InvenTeams have seven months to research and craft a working prototype of their inventions. During this time each team will be required to use a private-access area on the InvenTeams web site as a log for tracking its work and a communications medium to connect with other teams and mentors. Teams are also required to draft and submit progress reports that document their work. Site visits may be scheduled with teams after work has begun on the projects. A Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams staff member will provide an initial review of the project at its current stage and provide recommendations for improvement, when applicable. Staff will also help to suggest mentors if needed; many InvenTeams receive guidance from local MIT alumni.

InvenTeams are encouraged to pursue public relations opportunities for their project and are provided with tools to do so.

Involving Your Community
Community partnerships are encouraged to facilitate the invention process. InvenTeams may align with the potential beneficiaries of their invention, businesses, non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, government institutions, etc., as appropriate for project assistance. Partners enrich the experience and can contribute to stronger projects; they may exist as in-kind support, additional funding, and guidance through mentors. It is recommended that teams identify some of these partnerships during the application process.

Completing the Grants
A final report is due from each InvenTeam upon completion of the grant. The final report must contain the following:

• Description and sketch of the final invention, or similar evidence of the prototype
• Assessment of teamwork, product design, and product viability
• Analysis of areas for improvement of the invention
• Report on how funds were spent
• List of all team members and contact information

Benjamin Banneker Academic High School InvenTeam (2006)

InvenTeams Odyssey at EurekaFest
Student representatives, teachers, parents and mentors from each InvenTeam will congregate for a finale, known as the InvenTeams Odyssey, at MIT in June. InvenTeams are housed on MIT campus for this multi-day event, including a public showcase of the invention projects and team presentations. InvenTeams are able to meet and interact with each other during activities including a banquet, MIT tour, and talks from inspirational speakers.

After the Grant Period
Often, InvenTeams members choose to pursue intellectual property protection for their work, during the project or after completion of the product. While InvenTeams grants funding may not be used for this process, it is encouraged (when appropriate). Read about InvenTeams who have proceeded to the intellectual property stage. Learn about the patent process in the Inventor's Handbook.

Encouraging an Inventive Culture
Continuation grants are intended to help InvenTeams maintain momentum and transition to a self-sustaining inventive culture at their schools. Former InvenTeams may apply to receive grants up to $2,000 each, which must be matched. Continuation grants can be used to purchase materials or pay a teacher stipend to advance the original InvenTeams project or launch a new invention project.

Connecting with MIT
MIT is an integral part of the InvenTeams grants process. Since InvenTeams are administered on campus, several MIT offices and programs help to facilitate the grants process in various ways, such as providing guidance on the design process, aligning mentors, hosting on-campus events, and aiding the budgetary process.