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PURPOSE
As a leader in personal-mobility technology, Honda has a long history of working with experts in academic-research communities. In 1997, Honda Initiation Grant (HIG) was inaugurated to further strengthen Honda's relationship with universities in the U.S. and Canada. The primary purpose of this program is to fund novel and exciting ideas in their early stages of development. The projects funded should seek breakaway insights that are likely to make important and valuable contributions to technology in the long term (5-10 years). Based on their accomplishments and the promise of the research, Honda will consider grantees for follow-up funding after the first year. |
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THE PROGRAM
The program will support exploratory research in areas of science and technology outlined in a separate annual Call for Proposals document. The research should have potential applications within 5 to 10 years. The grant is designed to initiate and promote research; it is not renewable at the end of the one year. However, based on results, Honda may elect to negotiate with past winners of HIG for additional research in the form of a contract. No follow-up contracts are guaranteed.
HIG funds can be used to pay for salary for faculty, stipends for graduate students or post-doctoral fellows, supplies and services and relevant travel required for the HIG-funded project. Capital expenditures are not covered. University overhead charges are included in the grant. |
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WHO MAY APPLY
Applications may be made by regularly appointed full-time faculty members at any academic institution that confers technical or scientific advanced degrees in the United States or Canada. Applications from researchers seeking to inaugurate new research areas are particularly encouraged. There is no limit to the number of proposals each university may submit to the program. |
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HOW TO APPLY
There are two steps in the application process: Pre-Proposal (brief, open to all) and Full Proposal (complete, by invitation only).
The pre-proposal step is designed to simplify the application process and to enable HIG to give quick feedback to high-potential applicants. The format of the pre-proposal enables an applicant to quickly present relevant information to HIG to highlight the concept, value, approach and application potential of his/her desired research. Details on pre-proposal can be found in the Application section of this Web site.
Pre-proposals with outstanding potential will be invited by HIG to participate in the Full Proposal round of the competition. The invited candidates will work with HIG personnel to develop their proposals further. Winners will be selected exclusively from the invited high-potential pre-proposals. |
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DEADLINES
The deadlines may vary every year. Please consult the HIG Application section for the current-year details. |
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SELECTION PROCESS
None of the applicants will have an inside track towards selection. Proposals will be selected for funding by a panel of scientists and technical experts from within and outside of Honda. The criteria and selection will be at Honda's sole discretion. Some of the important criteria for selection will be:
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Uniqueness of the concept proposed |
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Relevance to Honda's interest and projected competitiveness of anticipated results |
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Application potential 5 to 10 years |
Please Note: Due to the high number of submissions received, a written review of first round participant proposals not selected for the second, Full Proposal, round of competition is unavailable. A review will be provided for those submissions accepted into the second round of competition which do not ultimately win a grant award.
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REPORTING, COMMUNICATIONS AND CONDITIONS
In addition to the two required reports from the principal investigator (midterm and final), typically in the spring, HIG will hold a conference to gather past and current HIG winners to share results from and directions for their respective HIG projects. At the conference, Honda scientists and engineers will be on hand to interact with attendees from academia. Winners of HIG are expected to present their research plans for the winning subject at the conference at the beginning of the grant for inauguration, and at the end of the grant for a final report. The associated travel cost is included in the grant. Any additional travel by the grantees at the invitation of Honda will be directly reimbursed by HIG.
As in any exploratory research, unexpected results may lead into discoveries in new directions not originally anticipated. If the results warrant, a shift in project direction may be agreed to in writing, as appropriate. Informal communications between the principal investigator and Honda will be particularly important in this regard.
The university certifies that it is in compliance with all applicable laws or rules regarding nondiscrimination based upon race, religion, national origin, sex, handicap or age.
The university and the grant recipient certify that they will fulfill the terms of this grant, which includes but is not limited to conducting research, publishing and otherwise sharing information and research results with Honda personnel and the wider scientific community.
The university and grant recipient shall conduct research, publish, and otherwise share information and research results with Honda personnel and the wider scientific community in compliance with all applicable laws or regulations regarding United States export controls, including but not limited to the Export Administration Regulations of the United States Department of Commerce, and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations of the United States Department of State. The university and grant recipient acknowledge that it is their responsibility to prevent any unauthorized export and that they will be solely responsible for identifying and informing Honda, as well as their own personnel, which information is restricted under United States export controls. Any export control compliance costs associated with fulfilling the terms of this grant will be borne by the university and the grant recipient.
The university agrees, to the extent permitted by state law, to hold Honda harmless against any losses or damages arising out of the negligent or willful misconduct of the university, its employees, students or agents in performing research pursuant to this grant.
Honda will make grant payments directly to the office designated by the university. |
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PUBLICATION AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
Publication or use of research results by Honda or the university is restricted as follows, except by any patent rights, copyrights or subsequent written agreements.
The researcher(s) may publish and otherwise share broadly with the scientific community the results of the research subject to their respective university policy, with appropriate acknowledgement of the HIG funding.
Honda and its worldwide affiliates are granted a right of first negotiation for a license, exclusive or non-exclusive, to make, use or sell any subject invention made under this Agreement, the duration of which is subject to university guidelines. In the event that university guidelines are silent on the matter, the duration of the right of first negotiation shall be one (1) year from disclosure of the invention to Honda, and shall be subject to existing prior commitments to other sponsors of the research. A subject invention is one that is disclosed, created or completed in performance of the Agreement.
The university shall be responsible for securing suitable protection for any subject invention pursuant to university guidelines. In the event that university guidelines are silent on the matter, all costs and expenses incurred by the university to protect its rights with respect to any subject inventions, including filing, prosecution and maintenance of patent applications, shall be paid by the university. |
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2010 Call for Proposals
Pre-Proposal Deadline: December 2, 2009
HIG is accepting uniquely creative concepts in personal mobility as well as this year’s special areas of interest including:
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>> automotive, motorcycle & power sport-related
>> green technology and advanced materials
>> computer science/humanoid robotics
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