Nonprofit organizations with an idea to help build the New Mexico technology ecosystem are invited to submit a proposal for funding support of up to $10,000 from the Feynman Center for Innovation at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The Regional Engagement Challenge is an opportunity for New Mexico organizations to explore and implement new methods to increase technology commercialization, stimulate new businesses and startups, attract entrepreneurs, create job opportunities, or attract businesses and capital to the region.

In 2020, when the Regional Engagement Challenge was launched, the Feynman Center funded a number of new innovative approaches that demonstrated the potential to enhance or increase the growth or resiliency of the technology sector in the state. Challenge recipients created programs that aimed to accelerate the commercialization of technology-based products, helped New Mexico companies pivot to meet emerging needs, and increased access to national mentor networks, funding, and customers.

The 2021 Regional Engagement Challenge is now open, and proposals for like-minded activities or programs that can be completed by the end of September 2021 will be accepted by email until the close of business on April 19. Proposals can not exceed four pages and must contain the key components listed on pages 2 and 3 of the Call-for-Proposals PDF.

The Feynman Center for Innovation at Los Alamos National Laboratory is the steward of the laboratory’s Intellectual Property — the inventions and software created at the lab. It licenses LANL technologies and facilitates strategic partnerships to help solve problems. Through its programs, the Feynman Center assists small businesses and entrepreneurs with successfully deploying LANL expertise and technology to improve products and businesses and strengthen the technology ecosystem in New Mexico. The Regional Engagement Challenge is just one of the activities and events it sponsors to lead technology commercialization and nurture New Mexico’s technology ecosystem.

To find technology that is ready for commercialization, visit the Tech Snapshots section of the Feynman Center for Innovation page on the Los Alamos National Laboratory website.

To learn more and apply for the challenge funding, download the Regional Engagement Challenge PDF.