Q:

How do I protect my Intellectual Property?

A:

It is the sole responsibility of creators to determine whether and what type of legal protection should be obtained for their innovations before participating in this program. It is the sole responsibility of the creators to contact appropriate legal professionals to secure any or all legal protection that might be appropriate.

If you have a scientific discovery or invention that could lead to a patent or any other intellectual property protection, it is best to check your country’s intellectual property laws before publicly sharing your ideas. It is important to understand the intellectual property laws in your country if you have any plans to bring your product to market in the future. Note that any public disclosure of your ideas, including during this program, can implicate your ability to protect those ideas in the future.

Q:

There are 3 members of our team. Do all 3 have to be part of the video pitch and the live GIFT presentation if we are selected as Finalists?

A:

The video pitch and the live GIFT presentation are important parts of the entire innovation presentation and so, yes, all of the members of the team are expected to participate in both events.

Q:

I have 2 great innovation ideas. Can I present both of them at IFGIC?

A:

You can only present ONE innovation at IFGIC. We know it may be difficult to choose, but decide which ONE you think is best and use your ONE UIC code to register and present that ONE innovation.

Q:

Is there a specific format for the names of students and how they should be written at registration?

A:

There is a lot of variety in the ways people around the world write their names, so we will use the names you give us at registration. In whatever format or order you write the names when you register, that will be the way we will list the names on the certificates and other documents.

Q:

Is it important to show myself in 60 second pitch video or I can animate and edit it to explain my innovation idea?

A:

The purpose of the video is to give the judges in the off-line Round 1 more information about your innovation than they would get by just reading about it. So, with that purpose in mind, you do NOT have to physically appear in the video. You could just be a voice out of camera view explaining more about the innovation and why it is a good thing.

Q:

I submitted my invention registration to IFGIC last week. I also got an e-mail from Global Innovation Field Trip (GIFT). Should I also submit an application to GIFT, or it is a different thing from IFGIC?

A:

This is a little confusing, but IFGIC and GIFT are two different programs although some of the same people are involved in both.

IFGIC is an actual competition with awards and honors for students who give great presentation about their great innovations as determined by our international panel judges.

GIFT is NOT a competition, but an international showcase of student innovators. At GIFT students will also present to a global audience the innovative things they have done and created, but there is NO judging or awards.

What makes this confusing is that the Final Round of IFGIC presentations take place during the October GIFT.

If you are registered for IFGIC, you will be participating in the Initial Round of IFGIC judging after 12 September. If, for any reason, you are not selected to participate in the Final Round, then you can register for GIFT and give your innovation presentation there.

In either case, whatever happens, you will be able to present your innovation to a global audience and you will be very happy and proud of your accomplishment.

Q:

Do I have to do anything else after I have registered for IFGIC and gotten the registration confirmation?

A:

If you are officially registered for IFGIC, there is nothing that you need to do right now. As we get closer to the registration deadline of 19 September, we will be sending all of the registered students, including yourself, more information about the schedule and what you will be doing at each part of the program.

Q:

I am confused about the schedule. What happens in the First Round? What happens in the Second Round?

A:

To make this contest affordable and inexpensive so that everyone can join, all of the activities in the IFGIC are done on-line with the Internet. You do NOT have to travel anywhere.

Before the 19 September registration deadline all of the registration materials should be uploaded. An international panel of judges will review all of the uploaded materials and select some innovations as Finalists.

On 6 October, the Finalist will be notified that they are Finalists and they will have until 12 October to select the choice of which time to give their live presentation at the October Global Innovation Field Trip.

During 18/19 October, all of the Finalists will be given an opportunity to give a live presentation to a different panel of international judges. During this live session, the judges will be able to talk to and ask questions of the presenters.

On 26 October, there will be a live, on-line celebration session where all of the honors and awards will be announced.

Q:

What prizes, awards and honors will be conferred at the Global Innovation Challenge?

A:

In addition to the pride of representing your country in a global competition:

• Certificate of Achievement for Semi-Finalists and Finalists
• Certificate of Achievement for any Special Awards earned
• International recognition
• Presentations posted within the Global Innovation Field Trip library of innovative videos, viewed and resourced by people around the world.
• Spotlight on global social media platforms
• Participation in the International Kids Conference as part of the United Nations celebration of World’s Children’s Day
• Consultation time with international industry experts in invention and entrepreneurship
• Invitation to an interactive series on entrepreneurship hosted by the 12 Ronnies
• Featured in Innovation World podcast
• Appointment as an InventFuture.Global Ambassador (including speaking engagements, panel discussions, hosting and MC opportunities, and more)