Social Innovator Ignite Prize

Seeking applications from University of Calgary researchers working to translate their research into social impact.

Researchers are invited to apply by October 31, 2024.

Application Form

Start date

November 2024

Prize

$10,000 cash prize

Duration

Nov 2024 – Mar 2025

Location

Calgary

About the program

Innovate Calgary’s Social Innovation Hub is seeking applications from University of Calgary researchers (faculty or teaching track) working to translate their research into social impact, and who are facing capacity-related barriers to doing so.

Projects must be focused on solving a social challenge or problem with an evidence-based solution and can be within any discipline. They must also involve meaningful community participation, e.g. involve a community partner, be based on deep community relationships, etc. The project cannot be solely focused on research, but rather translation research into action and having the solution reach a broader audience, in a sustainable way.

This can include: working with non-academic research partners, such as an NGO, non-profit, front-line workers or community members, building a social enterprise or start-up, or working with government to scale/grow the proposed solution or intervention.

Prize recipients will receive:

$10,000 cash prize
Access to Social Innovation Student Analysts
3-5 coaching sessions with SIH team
Opportunity to apply for 6-month membership to SIH

Researchers are invited to fill out the Application Form by: October 31, 2024. Have questions, or need support with applying? Reach out to: everity@innovatecalgary.com

Eligibility

Applicants must be

Current Faculty members (faculty or teaching track) at University of Calgary
Currently pursuing a social impact/innovation project or research with community
In need of student support to carry out the social impact project/research
- Able to recommend and compensate a project-specific student with the Prize funds as allocated below
- Willing to co-develop a social innovation project and a clear deliverable for Social Innovation Student Analysts to work on
Able to commit approximately 3 hrs./bi-weekly for:
- Overseeing the students’ work, engaging in progress tracking with the students and the Social Innovation Hub
- Participation in co-design and feedback activities

Researchers will have access to student Social Innovation Analysts for 10-15 hrs./week of support from November 2024- March 2025. The Analysts will be compensated by the Social Innovation Hub.

Researchers are invited to fill out the Application Form by: October 28, 2024.

Projects will be evaluated based on

Your connection to, and relationship with your collaborating community (this may be an organization, community group, etc.)
Project stage – this prize is intended to support researchers with a tangible solution that is ready to launch or in the later stages of development. Projects that are in the early research/ideation stage are not eligible.
Feasibility of key deliverable identified for the Student Social Innovation Analyst
Potential of the project for positive social impact, e.g. who (individuals, communities, and/or systems) will benefit from this work, and why?
Sustainability of the social impact/innovation over the long term
Diversity across the three selected projects

This is a pilot initiative for which we will be seeking feedback on the recipients’ experience for future iterations of the Prize. Please note that we are only seeking three projects at this time to pilot the Prize.

If your project is not selected, there will be other opportunities at the Social Innovation Hub including future Prizes, events, and workshops.

Drone photos overlooking University Research Park and Main Campus

Prize for recipients

$10,000 cash prize:
- $5,000 for student support equivalent to $25/hour for up to 200 hours between November 2024-March 2025. Must be a current post-secondary student or recent graduate and have work or research experience related to the submitted project. Researchers must recommend the student/recent graduate and will manage their compensation with the Prize funds provided.
- $5,000 to cover researcher-identified capacity-related costs that enable them to move their promising solution to a social problem forward. (Eg. hiring additional students, paying for expert support in a particular area, pursuing professional development, etc.)
Access to Social Innovation Student Analysts who will complete key deliverables to move the project forward, with an emphasis on social enterprise and social innovation- related tasks. Up to 200 hours of Analyst support between November 2024-March 2025 with the possibility of extension.
3-5 coaching sessions with the Social Innovation Hub team (November 2024-March 2025)
An opportunity to apply for a subsidized 6-month Social Innovation Hub Membership

This Prize is part of a larger initiative funded by Suncor Energy Foundation focused on reducing barriers to participation in social innovation by community-engaged researchers, students, and community members. It is also funded by the Flanagan Foundation, in support of their commitment to catalyzing the work of change makers on campus.

Innovating together

Together with our funders and partners, we are advancing social innovation and shaping a brighter future for all.