What is Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams?
Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams is a national grants initiative to inspire a new generation of inventors. InvenTeams—composed of high school students, teachers and mentors—are asked to collaboratively identify a problem that they want to solve, research the problem, and then develop a prototype invention as an in-class or extracurricular project. Grants of up to $10,000 support each team's efforts.

The InvenTeams initiative aims to excite high school students about science, math, engineering, entrepreneurship and invention; empower students through problem solving; and encourage a sustainable culture of invention in schools and communities.

West Salem High School InvenTeam (2005)

How are InvenTeams funded?
InvenTeams is an initiative of the Lemelson-MIT Program, an invention awards and advocacy program funded by the Lemelson Foundation and administered at MIT.

InvenTeams is actively seeking outside funding and support to enable more students and teachers to join the experience.

In addition, some InvenTeams independently choose to partner with external organizations and mentors for supplemental donations or resources.

Who can apply for the grants?
Science, mathematics or technology teachers (and teams of teachers) from public, private, charter and vocational high schools are invited to apply. Intra- and inter-school collaborations are welcome; diversifying teams and integrating projects with school programs and classes are encouraged.

How do I apply and what is the deadline?
Applications must be completed online. The initial application is available each fall (for grants awarded the following academic year) and is due the following spring. Selected finalists are notified in the spring and asked to complete a final application due the following September. Applications for 2009 InvenTeams (2008-2009 academic year) are closed at this time. Initial applications for 2010 InvenTeams will be available in October 2008.

How many students can be involved in an InvenTeam?
An InvenTeam can be composed of a small group of students in an extracurricular activity or an entire class. There are no size requirements, though teams of less than five or more than 25 students can be challenging.

Columbus School for Girls InvenTeam (2007)

What is the teacher's role in an InvenTeam?
Teachers apply for the grants (with student assistance), form student teams, monitor the use of funds, and help guide students through the inventive process. Teachers are expected to work collaboratively with their teams in the spirit of self-directed learning.

How can InvenTeams grants be used?
Funds must be spent on materials and supplies needed for the discovery process and other expenses related to product development and team building (including snacks/meals and team shirts). Funds may also be used for unrestricted teacher stipends (up to $2,000), if projects are conducted as an extracurricular activity or club. Funds are not intended for capital equipment purchases, such as computers, or intellectual property filing costs.

When must the grants be used by?
After grants are awarded in early fall, teams have until June (of the following year) to expend their funds to complete their inventions/prototypes.

What must teams produce to fulfill grant requirements and receive funding throughout the year?
InvenTeams are required to submit progress and expense reports to provide regular updates.

A "Summary Report" that includes an assessment of the team's process, design and viability of its invention, and any next steps is due upon completion of the grant. Concrete evidence of the invention such as a working mechanical prototype, CD of new software, photos of large-scale projects, or physical results of biological/chemical experiments is all due at this time. All teams are required to showcase their inventions at the culminating event, the InvenTeams Odyssey.

Is this a competition?
No, InvenTeams is not a competition; it uses a non-competitive, collaborative approach to help foster the creativity essential to invention. InvenTeams will have the opportunity to display and discuss their inventions with other InvenTeams, inventors, and members of the MIT community at the InvenTeams Odyssey.

What are Excite Awards?
Excite Awards are given to applicants who have submitted the initial application and have been selected to complete the final application. Excite Award recipients are invited to the current year's InvenTeams Odyssey, where they attend workshops on invention and learn about the experience first-hand from InvenTeams that are at the culmination of their grants. Travel, food and lodging for the Odyssey are provided for Excite Award recipients.

Felix Varela Senior High School InvenTeam (2006)

Where can InvenTeams get external team help?
InvenTeams are encouraged to partner with industry, academic and or/municipal partners to carryout their projects. Involving the potential beneficiaries of an invention, organizations that work on behalf of the potential beneficiaries, or in the field of the invention is invaluable. InvenTeams staff will assist in identifying industry mentors, including local MIT alumni, who will be available to advise teams about their projects. The InvenTeams Web site also provides resources and support materials for teams. Interteam communication is encouraged.

How are grant applications evaluated?
Initial applications are evaluated relative to the capacity of the teacher and the school to support an InvenTeams project. The final selection of InvenTeams is based on the inventiveness and feasibility of the proposed project idea. A panel of MIT professors, staff and alumni; inventors; researchers; entrepreneurs; and high school educators assess applications.

Are funds available for InvenTeams to continue work on their inventions after their grant year?
Continuation funds up to $2,000 per InvenTeam are available for post-grant work. Interested InvenTeams must submit a brief application and secure at least $2,000 of supplemental funding from local sources. Continuation grants help to sustain a culture of invention in InvenTeams' schools and communities.