John M. Thompson Innovation Fund

Yes. The funds are meant for undergraduate engineering students, however, an engineering student may be part of team that is comprised of students from other faculties across campus, but an engineering student must be the principal investigator and have tuition paid in full.

Normal funds available will range from $500 to $2000. However, the individual / team may ask for more or less.

The funds awarded are taxable income and will generate a T4, issued by Western University.

The idea can resubmitted for funding for a second round of support.

Fill out a short form and include idea, value of funds seeking, how success will be measured.

A BOM is a spreadsheet that includes a list of components, number for each component, cost of each component and source url and/or processing quotes.

Open source hardware is hardware whose design is made publicly available so that anyone can study, modify, distribute, make, and sell the design or hardware based on that design. Learn more about best practices for scaling your open source projects or successful open source business models.

You can apply for it directly at OSHWA Certification or you can work with WORLDiscoveries® - the technology transfer and business development office at Western.

No, you can simply provide a link to the source code for your innovation (e.g. Github repository) in the application as long as you have selected an open source license.

You can apply directly following the steps here or you can work with WORLDiscoveries® - the technology transfer and business development office at Western.

No. You should either file for a patent first or submit a Report of Innovation with WORLDiscovries first and then listen to their recommendations before disclosing your innovation.

Use the funds to buy the things in your bill of materials (BOM), make your prototype and then report back to us on the outcomes of your innovation.

Funds are to be used for prototyping activities.

There is no deadline. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

No, but if you would like to, Western has support for student entrepreneurs.

Dr. Joshua Pearce, the John M. Thompson Chair in Information Technology and Innovation, is the fund manager and will be happy to answer questions (joshua.pearce@uwo.ca).