RI Foundation Begins Accepting Applications for 2015 "Genius" Grants

RI Foundation Begins Accepting Applications for 2015 "Genius" Grants

The Rhode Island Foundation has announced it will begin accepting applications today for the 2015 Rhode Island Innovation Fellowship.

This Fellowship is an annual program to stimulate solutions to the state’s challenges. 

The program, which will award two applicants up to $300,000 apiece, is made possible by philanthropists Letitia and John Carter.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

These grants will enable the recipients over three years to develop, test and implement innovative ideas that have the potential to dramatically improve any area of life in Rhode Island.

“This initiative enhances Rhode Island’s reputation as a place of innovation and ingenuity. Letitia and John Carter are to be applauded for having the vision to invest in encouraging bold thinkers to bring their ideas to life,” said Neil Steinberg, the Foundation’s president and CEO.

“Letitia and I strongly believe in the potential of creative thinking and exceptional originality to power Rhode Island’s growth. We are excited to see the proposals that this platform for change generates,” said John Carter.

Although applicants do not have to be residents of Rhode Island when they apply, they must commit to living in Rhode Island during the term of the Fellowship if selected.

Application information

This will be the fourth round of funding. Previous rounds generated more than 900 applications.

The one-page, initial application asks applicants to summarize their proposed innovation in no more than 150 words and to describe how it would benefit Rhode Islanders. In February 2015, the selection panel will ask a group of semi-finalists to submit a more detailed application and a short video. The Foundation expects to announce the winners in April.

The deadline to apply is December 12. The application and answers to frequently asked questions are posted at here.