Call For Papers

Definition: This is a business plan competition open to doctoral student in any discipline at Association of Pacific Rim University member universities. The aim is to create value from graduate student research by encouraging commercial enterprise, technology transfer models, social enterprises, non-governmental organizations, and other entities that create economic and social value beyond the dissertation.

• Must be a doctoral student.
• Business proposal must relate to dissertation research.
• The submission proposal will be an "extra chapter" (25-30 page essay) that outlines the business plan and details how the business will create social and commercial value in the market. Proposals will address the product and services that will be developed, the market section and geographic region that will benefit from product, budget and financial analysis, and overall development and application of the project. The business may be a commercial enterprise, NGO, or charitable foundation.
• The winner will be awarded [Suggested amount: $6,000 USD] that covers a 4 month stipend, or one term, to work on the project, as well as a travel award that covers the air fare, accommodation, and registration fees to attend the final competition.
• Final Competition for first place will be held at the 7th Annual APRU Doctoral Students Conference at National University of Singapore (NUS), July 17-21, 2006.
• Final prize money will be awarded to top three finalists that will total approximately $20,000 USD or more.

• Submission of 2-4 page proposal to your university by January 31, 2006.
• Submit 1 letter of recommendation with application by professor that verifies doctoral status and dissertation topic.
• Proposals should address goals, financial procedures and methodology of application of plan.
• Winners at each university to be announced on February 16, 2006.
• Submit 25-30 page final proposal to ECC committee by June 23, 2006.
• Travel to APRU DSC conference at NUS on July 17, 2006. First, second, and third place winners to be announced on July 21, 2006.

Proposals are to be sent in either WORD or PDF format. Final proposal submissions and correspondences with regard to the ECC are to be directed to aprudscecc@nus.edu.sg.