Funding available to students/alumni from Lemelson

Funding Available to Students/Alumni

The Hampshire College Lemelson Center is pleased to steward several funds to award students grants supporting initiatives in applied design, invention, and entrepreneurship. These funds are for the most part awarded throughout the year from September to May on a continuing basis until they are completely distributed. The application processes are simple and concise; the response time of award committees is generally brief. Documentation is required of all awardees for assessment and reporting purposes. SPARC: Supports Professional Alums Returning to Campus

SPARC provides opportunities for Hampshire College alums to share their professional work and experiences with students, faculty, and the greater Hampshire community as well as to provide current students with an opportunity to supplement their studies through participation in specialized workshops, seminars, and other means of engagement. Through these activities, SPARC seeks to augment areas of the college where faculty offerings are strong and fill gaps where less is offered but student interest is high. Tim Harkness Fund for Invention: Supporting Innovative Thinking in Design and Invention

The Hampshire College Tim Harkness Fund for Invention awards grants for innovative work in applied design and invention, especially in areas of sustainability and renewable energy. This endowed fund makes annual awards to Five College students and alums to support their work in invention and innovation. The fund was established in memory of Hampshire College alum Timothy Harkness (70F), who dedicated many years to innovative work in solar energy systems as well as to creative design of tools, kites, and furniture. Grinspoon Entrepreneurship Initiative Awards

The mission of the Entrepreneurship Initiatives branch of the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation is to encourage entrepreneurial activity in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts by fostering an educational environment among participating colleges and universities that informs, supports, and inspires student entrepreneurs and by recognizing and giving awards to students who display the entrepreneurial spirit.