The Prima Civitas Foundation (PCF), through its entrepreneurship initiative Moving Ideas to Market, has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to provide up to four stipends of up to $3,000 each to student-driven groups or community coalitions interested in hosting entrepreneurial engagement events. The goal of the events is to connect college students with community resources.

Moving Ideas to Market (MI2M), launched in fall of 2006 by PCF with support from the C.S. Mott Foundation, works to connect entrepreneurs at all age levels by creating robust support networks and piloting innovative programs. A primary focus for MI2M is connecting university and community college partners with entrepreneurs and business leaders already at work in the greater entrepreneurial community.

“We need to ensure that these enterprising students are aware of available entrepreneurial support,” notes Prima Civitas CEO Steve Webster. “Students may then choose to stay and launch their business or commercialize their inventions in their university community, which keeps skilled talent and revenue in Michigan.”

Events must be university or community college student-driven with an in-kind or financial match provided by a local non-profit or non-governmental organization. Successful proposals will include innovative plans to increase entrepreneurial collaboration and investment, enhance access to resources and networks, and strengthen community connectedness. PCF and MI2M will assist recipients with network support and event promotion.

PCF will accept proposals until August 30, 2012 and will award stipends in late September. Events must be completed by November 30, 2012.

More information can be found here: http://bit.ly/LpODaj

The website also includes an expanded catalog of entrepreneurial resources across Michigan’s universities and community colleges.