Purpose: Current academic systems often delay recognition of high-potential young entrepreneurs until they have already bridged expensive educational gates. This proposal creates an accountable pathway for students to turn what they’ve learned in school into community-impacting projects—without requiring debt as a prerequisite for legitimacy.
Program Summary
• Establish a 5-year pilot fund dedicated to student innovation grants
• Competitive application and review process modeled after SBIR-style rigor
• Per-school limits to ensure statewide distribution and access
• Allows pre-application as early as 9th grade, with awards when legally eligible
• Encourages iteration, learning, and measurable progress over perfection
Budget Framework (Pilot)
• Total appropriation (5-year, non-lapsing fund): $50,000,000
• Administration + independent evaluation + audit/IT/reporting (cap 10%): $5,000,000
• Total available for awards: $45,000,000
Accountability Requirements
• Public reporting of awards, outcomes, and distribution metrics
• Independent evaluation of program effectiveness
• Auditable scoring criteria and review records
• Conflict-of-interest controls for reviewers
Status: Draft proposal. This summary is provided in plain language to communicate intent and structure.