Working to promote gender equity in bio-entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is a key avenue for translating scientific breakthroughs into real-world solutions. The HS Chau Women in Enterprising Science Program at the Innovative Genomics Institute (周凱旋女科學家企業計畫) is an exciting new opportunity for researchers who are committed to promoting gender equity in bio-entrepreneurship.
Located on the UC Berkeley campus, the Women in Enterprising Science (WIES) program supports individuals whose work involves the development of solutions for some of the world’s greatest problems, and who strive to develop their ideas commercially for the benefit of the public. WIES Fellows must align with the IGI’s mission of bridging revolutionary genome-editing and biotechnology tool development to affordable and accessible solutions in human health, climate, and agriculture.
The WIES program is made possible thanks to generous philanthropic support from the foundation of Solina Chau Hoi Shuen (co-founder of Horizons Ventures in Hong Kong).
Program Aims
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The WIES program is split into two phases:
Phase I: A cohort of up to four Fellows will be selected through an application process (application, reviews, interviews) for a 12-month appointment. The Fellows will either be appointed a postdoctoral fellowship (Postdoctoral Fellow) or, if current UCB faculty, will receive funding support (Faculty Fellow). Each participant will receive approximately $150,000 worth of combined salary, benefits, programming, and scientific supplies to help them on their journey, and will engage in a variety of exciting learning opportunities and networking events. Each Fellow will be assigned mentors and advisors who can provide guidance on scientific and business practices by meeting with them on a regular basis throughout the first year.
Phase II: At the end of Phase I, up to two Fellows may be selected as WIES Entrepreneurs and may receive $1,000,000 directly from a third-party funder to support their private entrepreneurial activities. WIES Entrepreneurs will continue to receive mentorship for an additional 18 months and are also expected to participate in advising the next WIES cohort.
ProgrammingOur goal is to build a supportive and lively community and to set our WIES Fellows up for success. To achieve this aspiration, Fellows will be required to participate in educational and community building programming.
Supplemental Programing
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See full details in the WIES program brochure.
Applications are now closed for Spring 2022. Please add your name to our mailing list below to be alerted by email when the next call for proposals opens.
Applicants will submit a proposal and provide a short video. Semi-finalists will be asked to attend one or more follow-up interviews with the WIES selection advisory committee. Final decisions on selected Fellows for Phase I will be made by UC faculty and staff serving on the WIES selection advisory committee. For Phase II, all decisions regarding an offer of funds from the third-party funder to the WIES Entrepreneurs are ultimately at the discretion and direction of the third-party funder.
Selection Criteria for Phase I
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Curriculum Vitae. Please include your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter & Short Video. Submit a written cover letter. In addition, pitch your idea in a video of 2 minutes or less. Clearly include the video link at the bottom of your cover letter. Use a YouTube/Vimeo URL only, either public or unlisted. Please do not password-protect your video or submit full video files.
Project Proposal. The project proposal should describe the area of research, the question/solution that is being addressed and the milestones needed to achieve the goals of the proposal. (Maximum four pages, single-spaced, 12-point font.)
Applications are now closed for Spring 2022.
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Download the program brochure for more information. For any questions about the WIES program, application process, or technical issues, please contact claricesouza@berkeley.edu