FAQ for Seed Grant Applicants
Teams Questions | Application Questions | Eligibility Questions | Budget Questions | Reimbursement Questions
Q: I am on a team with another person. Can we both apply for the grant?
A: No. Either you or your teammate should complete the application. There is a limit of one application per team. The person applying needs to be an MIT student.
Q: We are not working directly with an MIT faculty member. I noticed that the application requests contact information for a faculty member at MIT, can we provide information on our adviser who is not MIT faculty in place of that?
A: A faculty member at MIT is not required, however you are encouraged to list one if he/she is affiliated with your work. If your advisor is not MIT-affiliated, leave that answer blank.
Q: I have technical drawings and charts that illustrate my idea but I do not see an upload button on the online application. Is there anyway I could include these materials as part of my application?
A: We do not allow uploads to the application system. However, should you progress to the interview round, you will be given the opportunity to present your project using your images and supporting documents.
Q: I was not chosen as a seed grant recipient this year. I would like to get comments from the review committee as to how I can improve my application for future opportunities.
A: Unfortunately, we cannot comment on each individual Seed Grant's application nor can we share the applications of other applicants. We also cannot share the comments of the selection committee, as their comments are confidential. Please know that the Seed Grant applications pass through three sieves of different reviewer committees before the final recipients are chosen.
Q: I have submitted an application in the past via the online system. Now when I try to apply the system tells me that I can't change the aleady submitted application. What should I do?
A: If you have already submitted an application you will need to create a new account using the "Create Account" button. If you are using the same email and name the system will tell you there is a duplicate and will ask if you would like to continue and create a new account. Please continue.
Q: What if I am still have technical problems?
A: Under "Create Account" on the log in page and on the top navigation bar throughout the rest of the application there is a button to reach "Technical Support" if you run into any other problems or questions.
Q: I was interested in applying for the seed grant. However, I was wondering which countries are considered "low-income". Does China or India fit into that category?
A: According to the IMF ranking of countries by GDP per capita, both India and China rank low enough for them to qualify as low-income for purposes of the seed grants.
Q: Our project is a non-profit. Does that meet the grant criteria?
A: The IAP seed grant supports for-profit projects only. There are other organizations that offer grants for non-profit projects. We recommend that you research other options.
Q: What happens if we over-budgeted and/or get discounts on our travel and thus do not use all the funds? Can we use the funds for other project-related things?
A: If you find a discount, by all means please take advantage of it. The remaining funds can be used for project-related items during the summer, pending approval from the Center. As a rule of thumb, any significant reallocation in expenditure must be approved by the Legatum Center.
Q: What happens if we under-estimate the amount we need for the project?
A: Due to the limited funds in the Legatum Seed Grant pool, you will only be granted the funding you were awarded. If you mis-allocate money toward various items, you can transfer funds from one expense (such as hotel expense) to another, such as airfare, if your airfare is higher than you originally budgeted for. If there is a significant change in your various expenses, please get approval from the Legatum Center first.
Q: I cannot afford to pay for the expenses myself and wait till after I return to be reimbursed. What are my options?
A: For airfare you can call one of these three travel agencies who have partnerships with MIT. Tell them that you are a Legatum grantee when you call. They will bill Legatum directly. You still must provide boarding stubs when you return from your travels: Carlson Wagonlit Travel, OT&T Travel, and Travel Collaborative. You can also request a travel advance for expenses such as hotel, in-country travel, etc… please email amomura@mit.edu with your request.
Q: I was given partial funding from another department at MIT as well for this project. Who handles my travel reimbursements?
A: You will fill out the travel voucher for one trip but indicate that the travel was funded by different departments (refunding only the amounts they agreed to cover respectively). You should tell all MIT funders about other grants you received ahead of time and remind them when you bring in your receipts so that the paperwork can be handled in a way that will ensure quick turn-around for your refund. It is best to ask the departments for guidance in the case of multiple funders.
Q: In the country where we traveled to for our project, it is not commonplace for the vendors to give receipts. Do we have to submit receipts for all our expenses?
A: We recognize that street vendors, cybercafés, independent taxis, etc… do not give receipts in other countries. Generally, small amounts will be reimbursed. However, we cannot guarantee the refund of ANY amount that does not have a receipt. We suggest that you buy and bring with you a receipt book (can be purchased at an office supply store) or notepad and ask the vendor to write a receipt for you.
Please contact us with any other question: legatum at mit dot edu
