Grants
The Legatum Center provides seed grants to teams of MIT students who are working on innovative, sustainable projects in low-income countries. These grants fund market research, travel, project scoping, and pilot studies.
View past seed grant recipients:
2008-2009 IAP seed grant teams
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The application process for the summer seeds grants is now closed. Please check back with us periodically to learn of other opportunities or join our mailing list.
Guidelines for Summer 2009 Seed Grant Recipients:
A Legatum summer seed grant can only be used to further the development of a project in a low-income country during June, July and August of 2009. Only one grant per team is allowed and the recipient must be a current MIT student. You may request any amount up to $1500 for the summer seed grants.
Application deadline: The application deadline has passed
Questions? >>go to FAQ page
Eligible Grant Expenses
Travel, market research, prototype development, pilot testing, and other expenses that directly advance the project development are eligible grant expenses that can be reimbursed up to the amount of the Seed Grant. All monies must be spent and all travel and purchases must be completed before August 31, 2009 to be eligible.
Other Funding Sources: When you submit your receipts and final report you must let the Legatum Center know of any other funding that you received for this project and the contact information for the other sponsor so we may coordinate your reimbursement.
Focus of Seed Grants
The Legatum Center summer Seed Grants are intended to assist teams in developing for-profit enterprises in a low-income country.
Guidelines for Reimbursement and Advances
Please be aware of the guidelines for seed grants. Incomplete or wrong information, missing receipts and delay in project report will delay your reimbursement. You are responsible for submitting Grant Deliverables (see below) and your forms and receipts for reimbursement of funds to the Legatum Center within one week of completing your project. If you are purchasing materials or goods locally with your grant, please remember that we are tax-exempt in the state of Massachusetts. We will send you a tax-exempt form to use when making your purchases. MIT will not reimburse for tax if you do not use the form.
Travel and accommodations:
Purchase tickets through the one of the three MIT approved travel agencies: Travel Collaborative, Carlson Wagonlit Travel or OT&T. Your seed grant will be applied directly to the purchase of your ticket. If you prefer to use another travel organization you will have to purchase your tickets with your own money and submit the travel form and supporting documents for reimbursement of the agreed upon amount. To process your reimbursement you will be asked to submit original itemized receipts and boarding passes (for travel). For accommodations and other travel-related expenses you can purchase the necessary services yourself and submit the original itemized receipts and travel form for reimbursement or you can request a travel advance. All travel advances must be submitted at least ten days before the advance can be picked up.
You are responsible for your travel arrangements, travel documents, safety, insurance and personal health. Please be sure to have the appropriate documentation and shots before your trip. We recommend that you consult the Centers for Disease Control and State Department websites.
Marketing tools, other purchases:
Please use tax-exempt form ST5 when making your purchases. You will be personally responsible for paying the tax if you do not use the exempt form. You will have to pay for these items with your own money and submit the original itemized receipts and the request for payment form to be reimbursed. Items that are purchased for over $1,000 become the property of MIT while you are a student.
Professional services:
You will need to submit a contract form at least five days before receiving professional services. Once you are invoiced for the professional services, you will submit the invoice and a request for payment form. It is highly recommended that you use the professional services offered at MIT before going to an outside vendor. Professional services at MIT are often times less expensive.
Post-Project Deliverables and Expectations:
Recipients of Legatum Center seeds are required to submit:
1. 1-2 page report, detailing how the seed grant money advanced the project, and what opportunities exist for further advancement. Deliverables are due within one week of completing your project.
2. At least 5 high-resolution (> 5 mega-pixels) photographs of the project
3. Optional: short video footage of work in the field
4. At least one member of the team will be available for a short video interview at the Legatum Center upon returning from your project
5. At least one representative of your team will attend a Legatum Event showcasing your project in the beginning of the Fall semester.
All submissions (photos, videos, descriptions of the project/seed grant usage, etc.) can be used by the Legatum Center at its discretion, without restriction. Intellectual property is retained by the seed grant recipients. Report and photos are due within one week of completing your seed grant-based work.
