Program Details
Innovators-in-Residence
Overview: Innovators-in-Residence will be selected from a pool of innovators with good, solid, promising and tested innovations, those who would benefit from support and resources to refine and expand the application of those innovations to reach thousands, if not millions of Americans. Innovators-in-Residence will receive financial and technical support and a virtual or onsite CFED residency to refine and grow their innovations to marketable scale or to advance them through expanded real-world application.
Innovators-in-Residence will receive:
- $50,000 cash stipend or equivalent
- Office and meeting space at CFED's Washington, DC, headquarters
- Connection to CFED's technology platform and online resources
- Support from, and opportunities to collaborate with, CFED's expertise in areas such as applied research, communications, field development, information technology, policy, resource development and web development
- Pairing with a CFED staff partner as an in-house concept champion
- Access to CFED networks, resources and relationships; invitations to CFED events, meetings and trainings.
Innovators-in-Residence uses a two-step selection process. The first step is an application, to be filled out and submitted online, outlining the proposed work. Individuals who submit promising applications will be invited to provide a more detailed proposal.
innovation@cfed will be advised during the selection process by a set of Strategic Advisors, including experts in the theory and practice of innovation as well as experts from the fields of endeavor represented by Innovators-in-Residence applicants. We may conduct interviews and speak with references as part of the process. We will announce in June 2009 the Innovators whose residencies will begin in Summer/Early Fall 2009.
The online application deadline was April 3, 2009. Sign Up to be notified of the next application window.
Step Two: Invitation to Submit More Detailed Proposal
Individuals who submitted promising applications online by the April 3rd deadline will be invited, via e-mail on April 17, 2009, to submit a more detailed proposal and supporting documentation. The deadline for receiving this additional information from invited applicants is May 1, 2009. CFED staff will be available to provide input and guidance to applicants at this stage.
Individuals who are not invited to submit a more detailed proposal will be invited to have their submission considered under Innovative Ideas.
At this stage of the selection process we will request additional information in areas such as:
- Program description, theory of change and business model
- Timeline, milestones and work plan
- Synergies among community practice, public policy and private markets created or strengthened by the innovation
- Need for CFED staffing and other support, such as office space, technology, publications, etc.
- Current level of support for innovation
- Proposed structure of residency and description of how other obligations (e.g. employer relationship) will be coordinated with the residency
- Intellectual property
- References
innovation@cfed will use the following questions to guide consideration of Innovator-in-Residence applications:
- Does the concept fit with CFED's mission and seem innovative yet feasible?
- Has it moved beyond the "idea" stage? Has it been tested or proven somehow? Is there a rational timeline and work plan executable by this particular applicant to take the concept to the next level over the course of the residency? Does the plan seem to take in account some, if not most, of the obvious challenges and requirements to move forward?
- Could the innovation expand economic opportunity at scale/create impact for significant numbers of low-and moderate-income Americans?
- Does the idea have the potential to impact disadvantaged populations? Does it hold potential for any extremely disadvantaged or underserved populations?
- Is there a well-articulated theory of change? Is it consistent with or does it expand CFED’s current understanding?
- Does it have the potential to “change the system” and/or become sustainable over time?
- Will the innovation benefit from being "embedded" at CFED and leveraging CFED resources? And will CFED benefit from relationship with the applicant?
- Does the innovation leverage or create synergies among community practice, public policy and private markets (or otherwise resonate strongly with CFED's core competencies and strategic goals)?
- One selected Innovator position for the Spring-Summer 2009 application cycle is targeted toward innovations in manufactured housing.
Online application due |
April 3, 2009 |
Selected applicants detailed invited to submit additional information in the form of detailed proposal |
April 17, 2009 |
Detailed proposal due from invited applicants |
May 1, 2009 |
CFED announces 2009 Innovators-in-Residence |
June 22, 2009 |
Still have Question or Need Technical Help?
If you have additional questions, please send them via e-mail to innovation@cfed.org. Questions and answers that may be applicable broadly will be shared (without attribution) via additions to the Frequently Asked Questions posted on the innovation@cfed website.
If you need technical assistance with the online form, please contact Aaron Watts.
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