Global Biotech Competition Program
Searching for the next generation of bio-entrepreneurial leaders.
Bioinnovators is a year-round student program and platform enabling talented 9th-12th graders from around the world to compete in the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Competition: the world’s most prestigious synthetic biology and entrepreneurship competition.
BioInnovators teams identify global challenges, design novel biotech solutions, and present their work at the annual iGEM conference in Paris, joining thousands of peers and experts from around the world.
BioInnovators iGEM Team Members:
1. Employ their valuable talents in design, art, engineering, business, biology research, software engineering, and social science.
2. Win elite international awards at the iGEM Jamboree.
3. Author professional-level research papers.
4. Develop critical collaboration, leadership and presentation skills.
5. Frequently receive admission to the world's top university programs, including Upenn Wharton, Brown PLME, Stanford, Yale, Harvard, Princeton, and MIT.
6. Qualify for scholarships and investment funding through the BioInnovators Fellowship and Forge programs.
ADMISSIONS AND ELIGIBILITY
BioInnovators is a selective program with an approximately 15% acceptance rate. We are seeking students who have demonstrated academic excellence, a high degree of intellectual curiosity, passion for STEM or entrepreneurship, and a leadership mindset. Admitted students must be prepared to contribute intensively to their iGEM team over the duration of the program, and lack of engagement can lead to dismissal from the program.
Application Components:
-2 Essays
-Academic Transcript
-Extracurricular List
-Interview
Eligibility Requirements:
9th to 12th grade students are eligible for the BioInnovators iGEM competition program. International students are welcome and will require a visa to participate in the in-person program. Exceptional middle students and college students may apply to participate as emerging researchers (middle school) or research interns (college), but they will not be eligible to win competition awards.
FAQs
Q: What does BioInnovators cost?
A: The virtual program costs $5000 and the in-person (hybrid) program costs $7500.
Q: What's the difference between the in-person and virtual program?
A: Only the in-person program involves research in a physical lab. However, virtual students participate in all other ways, including entrepreneurship, design coding, and computational biology research.
Q. What are the fees for?
A: iGEM teams pay for lab space, biological materials, competition registration fees, mentors, insurance, and software licenses.
Q: Does the Bioinnovators program include a trip to Paris to present at the iGEM conference (Jamboree)?
A: This is optional and available at extra cost. It's a valuable opportunity to present in front of global industry experts, and includes hotel, flight, and sightseeing.
Q: Are there scholarships available?
A: Yes. BioInnovators is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated need. Upon admission to the program, a financial aid form can be submitted.
Q: What is the duration of the program?
A: BioInnovators usually begins in February and ends around October 31st, the date of the iGEM Jamboree). However, students join the competition all throughout the year, including the summer and early fall. Late summer and fall students gain the benefit of all the prior work the team has done. Spring and early summer students have more opportunities to shape the project themselves.
Q: Is BioInnovators affiliated with iGEM.org?
A: No. BioInnovators is an organization that supports ambitious students who want to compete, win medals, and help create the next generation of biotech.
Questions?
Write to:
info@bioinnovators.org
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