Turn your ideas into high-impact innovations

IDEA^2: A program of the Madrid–MIT M+VIsión Consortium

A proven approach to fostering innovation, developed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University

Begin your application here +
Applications are due May 20

IDEA² Madrid is a new program of the Madrid-MIT M+Visión Consortium, modelled on the program launched at Harvard and MIT, designed to help Madrid's emerging biomedical innovators and entrepreneurs refine their project ideas and get the guidance and expertise to realize them. It is focused on developing innovative medical technologies and businesses that could solve important problems in healthcare.

Identifying and clearly defining problems is a crucial but often underestimated challenge in modern research and innovation. Much of the success in a research initiative—and achieving impact—lies in selecting and solving the right problems. The IDEA² Madrid program is designed to provide researchers early in their careers (such as graduate students, post-docs, and early professionals) with a structured process that guides, mentors, and supports problem definition and development.

IDEA² Madrid engages individuals from many sectors, such as the academy, government, and industry, in the process of selecting and developing problems. It also reduces barriers that naturally arise between these sectors, providing an opportunity for involvement by those normally excluded from the academic process, and increasing the projects’ potential for high impact. These engagements promote the development and growth a professional networks that are so critical to professional success.

IDEA² Madrid is a multi-component process that turns an idea into IDEA² by:

Identifying a worthy area for inquiry and development. Applicants are expected to have defined an area of interest, an unmet need, and have an idea for addressing that need. Together, the need and idea form the opportunity for impact.
Defining achievable opportunities for impact. Through a small team of mentors (catalysts), IDEA² Madrid finalists and fellows will evaluate, develop, and more clearly define the opportunity, assess the potential impact, and establish goals and milestones.
Enabling concentrated effort with resources that allow the IDEA² Madrid finalists and fellows to focus on the right problem at the right time.
Accelerating progress through collaboration. The M+Visión network enables connections and associations with individuals from all sectors, disciplines, and professions in order to help accelerate progress towards the goals.

"IDEA² Madrid helped me form a concrete project and roadmap for development…a business plan. My Catalysts and other contacts helped me to focus on useful, practical applications [of the technology tool] and to validate the technology. I expect to start a company in Madrid, and begin testing in 2013.” —Julián Daich, 2012 IDEA² Madrid Awardee

Why participate?

To gain an early experience in independently defining, articulating, and defending an idea
To gain experience in developing and learning how to engage a network of advisors from different disciplines, professions, and sectors
To become eligible to apply for the M+Visión travel grant
To gain access to the M+Visión Consortium network; a partnership of leaders in science, medicine, engineering, business, and the public sector dedicated to strengthening Madrid's position as a global center of biomedical research by accelerating innovation in biomedical imaging, promoting translational research, and encouraging entrepreneurship
To become eligible for the IX madri+d awards and to gain additional mentor experience with Red de Mentores Madrid, both programs of the Fundación madri+d

Who is eligible?

Any individual or group of individuals interested in biomedical technologies including graduate technical, business or medical students, post-docs, residents, and early professionals working in any sector (business, medical, academic, etc.), in the Madrid Community.
Applicants must be in Madrid during the mentoring period.
Applicants must have an idea for a research program or business concept.
Applicants may submit multiple pre-proposals. However, only 1 pre-proposal can be selected for full proposal development.
Applicants must be fluent in English.

What is the process?

The process begins with interested and eligible candidates submitting a short pre-proposal for a research or business idea. Following review by a diverse panel, selected candidates are identified as IDEA² Madrid finalists. Finalists are assigned 2-4 "Proposal Catalysts" (mentors) who, over the subsequent 2-4 month period, provide advice towards the development of a full proposal. Finalists present their full proposal orally, also before a diverse review panel. Selected finalists are appointed as IDEA² Madrid awardees.

Beyond IDEA² Madrid

In addition to continued connections with the M+Visión network, IDEA² Madrid docks with Fundación madri+d. The Fundación works closely with M+Visión to provide resources and services to assist IDEA² Madrid finalists during their proposal development, and to provide additional supports and services once the finalist completes the IDEA² Madrid program.

How do I apply?

Pre-proposal: The pre-proposal submission includes a cover page, a cover letter, a letter of reference from a professional who can speak for the applicant's work, a 2-page CV, and a 1 page proposal and an appendix (optional) that describes the idea, its significance, and what general aims would be needed to make progress.

Pre-Proposal Instructions
Pre-Proposal Template (Individuals) (pdf) | (docx)
Pre-Proposal Template (Teams) (pdf) | (docx)
Letters of Reference

All applications must be submitted here +

Proposal: Selected individuals/teams will become finalists and will be invited to develop and submit a full proposal. Each finalist will work with the IDEA² Madrid leadership to identify 2-4 catalysts who will serve as mentors. The full proposal will be presented and discussed orally before a diverse review panel.

Whom should I contact with questions?

Check out our IDEA² Madrid FAQs page +

Still more questions? Write to Sandra Widland, IDEA² Madrid Project Manager sandra.widland@mvision.madrid.org

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