Jamie Ferguson Chemistry Innovation Awards 2024 – applications now open
6th March 2024
Applications to the 2024 Jamies are now open. In partnership with Oxford University Innovation (OUI), this year's Jamies are open to students from both the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Materials.
The Jamies, a tribute to our dear friend and colleague Dr Jamie Ferguson, are designed to give students the opportunity to develop their ideas for making positive change in the world and gain experience in entrepreneurship.
Four winners will each receive a £500 cash prize, mentorship and support from OUI.
What is involved?
The judges are interested in ideas that will help achieve one of the UN’s sustainable development goals. Applicants submit a short application form, explaining what problem their idea aims to resolve, and the potential positive impact it could achieve.
If shortlisted, applicants will be invited to present a two-minute pitch of your entrepreneurial idea to a panel, followed by a short Q&A. Pitch training will be provided by OUI. Winners will be announced on the day.
Why should I apply?
Your ideas can be very early stage and although the panel expect to see most ideas related to departmental research, they also welcome other chemistry-related ideas. The benefits to applying include:
- Skill development: Taking part in the Jamies gives you the opportunity to flex your entrepreneurial muscles and encourages you to apply creative and lateral thinking to your own work.
- Real-world application: The Jamies helps you to focus on how to solve real-world problems and develop practical solutions from your own research or ideas.
- Networking opportunities: The Jamies provides an excellent platform for networking with like-minded peers, entrepreneurial academics, potential mentors, and other members of the Oxford innovation community.
- Access to resources: Winners of the Jamies receive £500 to spend on developing their ideas further, advice from investment company Oxford Science Enterprises, and practical support from OUI.
- Entrepreneurial opportunities: Winning or taking part in the Jamies can be a stepping stone for students interested in commercialising their ideas or starting their own ventures.
- Building confidence: By pitching your idea to a panel of entrepreneurial chemists and business experts and receiving positive feedback, the Jamies can help boost your confidence.
- Raising your profile: Making an application will hopefully trigger interesting and positive conversations with your supervisor, and for the eight finalists and four winners, your profile will be raised at the Department as budding entrepreneurs of the future!
Apply now
Fill in this form to apply. Applications are open from 6 March until 30 April and finalists will be invited to pitch on 12 June in the Chemistry Research Laboratory.
Any questions?
Drop in and speak to OUI on Wednesdays in the Holder Common Room (Materials) or Thursdays in the CRL atrium (Chemistry), or email thejamies@chem.ox.ac.uk.
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