Alvarez Spark Innovation Award Application

About the Award

The Victor C. Alvarez Spark Innovation Award is open to all undergraduate and graduate students at Tulane University interested in pursuing a social venture idea. Students are eligible for up to $2,500 per academic year to move their ideas forward.
Students must be able to articulate how the funding will help them reach their next growth milestone. Examples may include:
– Researching focus groups or surveys to determine the need for the venture.
– Determining the appropriate legal structure for your venture.
– Printing and testing marketing materials.
– Buying supplies to prototype a product.
– Testing a service you aim to offer.
Student learning is a critical part of the award process and outcomes. As such, all awardees must demonstrate a critical analysis of the experience and its role in their personal growth and professional aspirations.

All students who receive an Alvarez Award must complete a series of blog posts to demonstrate the impact of their award.

Applications are accepted throughout the year on November 15 and March 15.

If you have any questions about this application, email taylor@tulane.edu.

Applicant Information

1.1 Name*

First Last

1.2 Tulane email address*

Enter Email Confirm Email

1.3 Alternate email address*

Not your Tulane email address.

Enter Email Confirm Email

1.4 Phone Number*

1.5 Student ID Number*

1.6 Please share your pronouns

(Why is this important?)

1.7 Academic Standing*

1.8 Classification*

1.9 Tulane School*

1.10 Area(s) of Study*

1.11 Expected Graduation Year*

1.12 Expected Graduation Semester*

1.13 Upload your Resume (pdf)

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB.

1.14 What is your race? Do you consider yourself…(Select one or more.)*

White
Black or African American
Asian
Latinx or Hispanic
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
American Indian or Alaska Native
Prefer Not to Answer
Prefer to Self-Describe

1.15 What is your gender? (Select one or more.)

Woman
Man
Trans
Nonbinary
Prefer Not to Answer
Prefer to Self-Describe

1.16 Are there other identities you would like us to know that are important to you (e.g., age, veteran status, sexual orientation, first-gen college and/or graduate, disability, non-US citizen)? If so, write them here:

Taylor Center Connections

The Changemaker Institute (CI) accelerator program incubates social ventures in the Tulane community by fostering learning and growth, community partnerships, mentorship, & the development of social entrepreneurial skills among upper-level students in the early idea phase of social venture development.

CI provides a small cohort of students with toolsets and networks to propel their social venture idea to the next level, including applying for local and national accelerator programs throughout the nation.

2.1 Are you a Changemaker Institute participant or alumnus?*

Yes
No

2.2 Have you received funding from the Taylor Center before?*

Yes
No

2.3 How did you hear about the Alvarez Spark Innovation Award?*

Check all that apply.

2.4 If you selected "word of mouth” or “other," please explain.

– Did you hear about us from a class, professor, friend, Tulane institute, or other sources?
– Any information you share will help us reach more changemakers like you.

Reference Information

– Each proposal should include one faculty, staff, or community member that is mentoring the applicant during this process.

3.1 Reference Name*

First Last

3.2. Relationship to Reference*

3.3. Reference Phone Number*

3.4 Reference Email Address*

Enter Email Confirm Email

Please have your reference complete this form and upload their application by the deadline at 11:59 p.m.*

I agree.

5.3 Upload Venture Proposal (pdf or word doc)*

Applicants should have a firm grasp on how their proposed solution fits into the broader ecosystem of change agents addressing this social or environmental challenge. Your proposal must demonstrate your understanding of the problem you are trying to tackle and your knowledge of existing solutions. Applicants are strongly encouraged to spend time critiquing their writing for content and grammar.
In two to three pages, answer each of the following questions and include appropriate citations:
1. Problem Landscape
– What is the issue you are looking to understand? What is its history, and what are the forces (i.e., social, economic, corporate, environmental, cultural and political, etc.) maintaining the status quo? Who is affected by it? What is the size and scope of the issue?
2. Solutions Landscape
– Who is already trying to solve this problem? What are they doing? What has worked? What hasn’t worked? Are any of these efforts linked to one another? What networks & resources exist? What has happened in the past, and what could happen in the future? What is missing from the solutions landscape?
3. Opportunities and Levers for Change
– Explain your idea and provide a description of the specific part you would like to test. Include a timeline for completing the project, a description of how you plan to capture and share your results and process, including failures or successes.
4. Timeline
– Include an implementation timeline for your proposal. When do you intend to pilot or testing your proposal?
5. References (minimum 3-5 citations required)

Accepted file types: pdf, docx, Max. file size: 50 MB.

4.2. Proposal Website (Optional)

5.1 Budget & Funding Request*

Please submit an itemized budget with the requested funding amount, expected use of funds, and projected revenue/cost structure using the template provided.

Max. file size: 50 MB.

5.1A Total Amount Requested*

The maximum amount requested cannont exceed $2500.

Please enter a number less than or equal to 2500.

5.2 Statement on Award Travel*

In light of COVID-19, Tulane has restricted funding for all non-essential international and domestic travel. Below, in no more than 100 words, please indicate whether or not you will travel for this experience and how you will abide by public health travel guidelines.

Student Contract*

Please read each statement and click the check mark below to confirm your acceptance of the terms.

If selected as an award recipient:

1. I understand that this funding is designated as an award, and as such I am responsible for any taxes associated with the award amount.

2. I understand that the award is solely applicable to the experience described in this application and cannot be transferred to a different experience.

3. I understand that if I am unable to complete the above program requirements I must contact the Phyllis M. Taylor Center for Social Innovation & Design Thinking immediately. My failure to complete the requirements may result in the repayment of my award back to Tulane University.

4. I agree to share my progress and learning with Taylor, applying a critical analysis lens, keeping all details appropriate and educational for my peers, and acting as a representative of Tulane University.

5. I understand that failure to provide progress and learning through the requested mediums (Taylor Blog) may negatively affect my ability to receive funding support from Taylor in the future.

6. I understand that if I am accepted as an award recipient it is my responsibility to arrange all required logistics associated with the award.

I verify that:
1. I am in good standing with Tulane University.
2. I meet the minimum criteria identified in the award application.
3. I have completed all necessary requirements prior to submitting this application.
4. All information provided is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

I have read the student contract and agree to the terms.