The Lemelson Foundation
Grants for innovation and invention in subject areas that include water and sanitation, agriculture, biodiversity, and energy
Principal Office: USA
The Lemelson Foundation summarizes its mission as “improving lives through invention.”
The Foundation recognizes and celebrates accomplished inventors; provides financial and mentoring support to grassroots inventors; offers opportunities to young people to develop their scientific curiosity; and disseminates technologies that improve people’s lives.
In addition to grants programs for the USA, the Foundation supports Developing Country Programs.
Grant Programs for Agriculture, Energy, Environment, Natural Resources
Developing Country Programs. The Foundation’s grants and fellowships emphasize innovation and invention. Lemelson supports efforts to inspire inventors and inventions; to educate future inventors; and to support enterprises that address the needs of the poor.
Examples important in the developing world are innovations in potable water supply; community sanitation; drip irrigation; solar energy; bioenergy; coffee-growing technologies; rice-growing technologies; soil fertilization; livestock management; low-cost building materials, and others.
About the programs
APPLICATION: The Foundation states that it funds very few unsolicited applications.
However, it accepts short concept notes by email.
About how to apply
Geographical Distribution of Grant Activities in Developing Countries
Worldwide
Jerome Lemelson was the holder of over 600 patents.
The Foundation’s “how to participate” is an overview of resources.
The Lemelson-MIT Student Prize rewards students working on technology-based inventions that involve food/water or agriculture.
The Foundation posts news, including items which identify innovation leaders and networks important for developing countries.
The Foundation posts complete contact information.
July 2021