Prizes and awards

John Mather Trust Rising Star Award

Innovation, from the Latin innovatus, meaning to renew or change, refers to the creation of better or more effective products, services, processes, technologies or ideas that are accepted by markets, governments and society.

The John Mather Trust, in collaboration with the University of Glasgow, is launching an enterprise and innovation competition, looking to identify and support Rising Stars. In particular, the aim is to promote innovation that will benefit the socio-economic well being of the greater Strathclyde area of the West of Scotland.

The competition

Submissions from individuals must offer the potential to deliver enterprise or innovation. The award is intended to assist the individual in attaining his or her goal and should address the need for funds in areas such as:

• Personal development that will facilitate innovation and/or enterprise
• Resource acquisition that will further the innovation/enterprise
• Research and/or development funds required to fine tune the concept
• Prove of concept funding

To be eligible for the Rising Star award you must have resided, on a permanent basis, within the greater Strathclyde area for at least five years.

Submissions

Initial submissions will be submitted in a ‘poster’ format, no more than 5 power point slides outlining the innovation/enterprising concept, accompanied by a CV and proof of residency. An internal adjudicating panel will evaluate the poster proposals and select a maximum of six to go forward to the next stage.

The selected semi-finalists will develop their poster presentations into a formal proposal, which must address the timeline, personal and socio-economic benefits and an implementation schedule, including budget requirements. Word count will be capped at 2000 words. The proposals will be judged by a panel of experts drawn from the Adam Smith Business School Advisory Board, no more than three finalists will be selected.

The finalists will then present a 15 minute presentation to the panel of experts, augmented by no more than three Adam Smith Business School academics. Each applicant will be ranked and the winner announced.

Key dates:

• 2 April 2012: Initial submissions
• 1 May 2012: First shortlist announced
• 2 July 2012: Shortlisted applicants submit formal proposals
• 17 August 2012: Second shortlist announced
• 31 August 2012: Presentations for expert panel
• 7 September 2012: Final winner announced

Please note: these dates may be subject to change depending upon the availability of external adjudicating panels.

Criteria

Successful applicants will be postgraduate students of the Adam Smith Business School in their final year of their programme.

Applicants must have resided in the greater Strathclyde area  for 5 years or more.

The prize and commitment

£10,000 to forward the progress of the innovatory/enterprising concept.

Rising Stars must report back to the Adam Smith Business School and the John Mather Trust, in a summary format, the impact of the award and be willing for their name and concept to be used in future promotional efforts. This must be done within 18 months of the award.