Biomakerspace

The next cohort will run in Fall 2024. Applications will open in Spring/Sumer 2024.

What to Expect

The SDZ's Biomakerspace program provides undergraduate students with a hands-on and practical learning experience that is at the intersection of entrepreneurship and scientific innovation.

The cohort has a focus on health-tech and food science; students can work either independently or within a team to investigate real-world challenges and prototype potential solutions within these subject areas. Students will have access to entrepreneurial frameworks, experimentation space, and mentors to support their work.

The Biomakerspace program empowers students to take leadership over their learning and scientific exploration while providing them the opportunity to strengthen essential work-ready skills such as project management, crticial thinking, communication, and problem solving. Eligible students who successfully complete the program will receive a stipend of $1000.

Here's what the program looks like for students who are accepted:

Timeframe	Objectives
Month 1	Training: in teams, students will choose a problem area to explore and learn about key entrepreneurial tools/methods
Month 2	Problem Research & Experimental Design: teams will do research on the problem (why does it exist?) and draft scientific protocols and a business plan on their proposed solution
Month 3-4	Execute Research Plans, Prototyping, and Testing: at this point, each team takes ownership over their own work which includes gathering evidence, determining the validity of their assumptions, and creating solution prototypes

What's in it for you?

Exposure to the STEM innovation landscape and the chance to build an entrepreneurial mindset

Access to prototyping tools to conceptualize your innovative ideas

Access to mentors, subject-matter experts, and innovators as well as career inspiration and guidance

A $1000 stipend for completing the program

A Look at the Previous Cohort

In May 2023, select students from our Fall and Winter cohorts were chosen to travel to Fortaleza, Brazil! During their time there, they co-led an Evidence-based Entreprensurship bootcamp for students at a local university.

A group of people holding Brazil Flags standing in a group

Who Should Apply?

You should complete the interest form if you:

are a 3rd+ year TMU student in either Community Services, Science, Art, or Business
are curious, have an open mind, and are willing to change your perspective
are determined and willing to try again after you’ve failed or if something doesn't work as you expect it to
are open to working with uncertainty
are intrigued by entrepreneurship, but are not sure if it’s for you yet
can commit to spending up to 60 hours working on this in the Winter term (4-10 hrs per week with a lighter workload during busier times of the term)

If you don't fit these requirements, but wish to participate, you can complete the interest form and tell us why you would be a good fit for the program

Stipends may be available to eligible students (this is not yet confirmed). While the following criteria are not required to participate in the program, students that these points hold true for, may receive a stipend for their participation if they are available.

• Registered in PSE institutions, full-time or part-time (no age limit); and,

• Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or persons to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; and,

• Are legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with the relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations

*NOTE: International students with student visas or work visas are not eligible to receive funding. If you identify as this, but want to participate please get in touch with us via email at discovery.zone@torontomu.ca. Only students who meet the eligibility criteria and who successfully complete the program may recieve the $750 stipend.