New William G. Davis Innovation Fund encourages college students to pitch creative projects

To help mark the Ontario colleges’ 50^th anniversary celebrations in 2017, colleges have launched a new William G. Davis Innovation Fund contest that encourages students and alumni to pitch creative projects and initiatives that will compete for cash prizes.

The fund has been named after former premier William G. Davis, who served as Ontario’s education minister from 1962 to 1971 and brought in the legislation that established the college system. The fund has been named in his honour as a tribute to the bold and creative thinking that revolutionized post-secondary education in Ontario.

“When we launched the Ontario college system 50 years ago, I had hoped that we would create a meaningful and rewarding system that prepares students for a broad range of careers,” said the Honourable William G. Davis. “That hope was not only realized but surpassed. Today’s colleges are preparing students for many of today’s most challenging careers.

“This new fund will promote some of the truly innovative ideas being developed at colleges throughout the province,” he said. “It is truly an honour to have it established in my name.”

Entrants can be a graduate or current full-time student from one of Ontario’s 24 colleges with an idea that could improve Ontario and beyond. Applications can be made in the categories of entrepreneurialism, health and welfare, arts and culture, or community benefit.

The first-place winner will receive $15,000 to help fund the project and the second-place entry will receive $5,000.

“In the past our students have excelled in developing entrepreneurial and innovative projects in their disciplines,” said Dr. Mary Preece, Sheridan’s President and Vice Chancellor. “Creativity is embedded in Sheridan’s DNA so we look forward to seeing what comes forward from our students and alumni for this special fund.”

The detailed timeline for submissions and voting, full contest rules and regulations are available online at amazing50.ca/innovationfund. Successful entries must be achievable, sustainable, measurable, original and linked to the individual’s college experience.

Students and alumni will be able to start posting proposals in March. A shortlist of the top applications will be publicized in August and the winners will be announced in November.

View Sheridan’s 50^th anniversary web page.