Faculty sought for entrepreneur projects RFP: Faculty Projects with Entrepreneurs Funded by: Eugene Dahl and Roger Melroe Entrepreneur Endowments, UND Foundation Funds available: $14,000 for spring, summer and fall 2007 Deadline for proposals: Jan. 12, 2007, at 4:30 p.m. The families of Melroe Manufacturing entrepreneurs Eugene Dahl and Roger Melroe established endowments within the UND Foundation in 2004 to foster innovative and entrepreneur activities among UND faculty. Gene Dahl was the first chairman of the Center for Innovation Advisory Board (1984-89). He was instrumental in bring two North Dakota ventures to Fortune 500 status: Melroe Bobcat and Steiger Tractor. Roger Melroe was his brother-in-law and vice president of marketing for Melroe Bobcat. The Boardroom in the Ina Mae Rude Entrepreneur Center is named for Gene Dahl and Roger Melroe. Eligible projects for this RFP will support faculty to work directly with one or more emerging entrepreneurs on the issues of innovation (product, technology, services, etc.), venture development, venture growth, or financing. Optimally, the ventures will be spin-off ventures or with entrepreneurs hosted in the two campus incubators, and the project initiates an ongoing relationship where the faculty member is closely involved with the launch and growth of a venture. Preference may be given to faculty projects where a long-term faculty/venture relationship is highly probable. The entrepreneur(s) should provide a letter of support for the project indicating how the project will be beneficial to their venture and the entrepreneur community. Utilizing undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in entrepreneur programs is encouraged, but not mandatory, to create hands-on learning for entrepreneur students. The selection committee is chaired by the director of the UND Center for Innovation. The committee is encouraged to approach faculty to submit proposals. Preference may be given to projects from business faculty teaching entrepreneurship courses, but if no quality or eligible projects are available, faculty projects relating to entrepreneurship from the CBPA or other colleges are eligible for the grant support. The committee may select one or more entrepreneur projects or initiatives utilizing faculty expertise which will foster North Dakota Entrepreneurship. In 2006, three faculty projects were selected for support. Submit proposals to: Bruce Gjovig, Center for Innovation, Stop 8372, Grand Forks, ND 58202-8372.