"The environment here is incredibly collaborative and you can feel the energy as ideas take root and grow."
– Ann Fyfe, President/CEO, FII
FAQs
Q. Does the Fogarty Institute fund start-up companies?
No. We are not an investment fund. However, and as part of the support we provide to selected innovators, we will provide you with financial aid in the form of grants to help cover equipment, supply, and staff costs, and we will help you identify an initial source of funding for your company.
Q. What is the primary criterion for selection of innovators that receive direct support?
Patient benefit. We are a non-profit with a public benefit mission to improve patient care. It is not our mission to maximize return on investment, and this is an important difference between the ways that the Fogarty Institute and traditional venture capital firms make innovation support decisions.
Q. Will the Fogarty Institute consider supporting innovations outside the medical device field?
Yes. If we think your idea has the potential for extraordinarily significant patient benefit, and even if it doesn’t involve medical devices, we will try to seek out technical mentors that can help you.
Q. Will the Fogarty Institute provide support to innovators who have already received funding?
Yes, but it depends on what level of funding you’ve received. If you have friends & family or early angel money, that’s fine. However, if you’ve already received A-round funding from a VC, what we provide probably won’t help you.
Q. Do I need to be geographically close to the Fogarty Institute to be selected for support?
Yes. Through experience, we’ve found that a key benefit for innovators is to physically be where our mentor staff is. This is not only convenient for scheduled meetings, but it also facilitates informal, unscheduled interactions where some of the most productive conversations take place.
Q. Before I submit an application, will the Fogarty Institute sign an NDA?
No. On this point, we follow the VC model by not binding ourselves to formal confidentiality agreements. This allows us to gain input from our advisors and partners regarding their perceived merit of your application. At the same time, we understand your concern, and assure you that it is our full intention to not disclose your ideas to entities that may be competitive to your business. Please view our Privacy Policy.
Q. How can I receive support from the Fogarty Institute?
Use our online application process.
Q. To apply for Fogarty Institute support, do I need to write a business plan?
No. Just use our simple online application process. If you don’t have one, we’ll help you articulate a business plan once you get here.
Q. I have a medical innovation that’s ready for evaluation in a clinical trial. Can the Fogarty Institute help me find funding for this trial?
Yes. Please contact us via or online application process, and identify yourself as an innovator who is looking for support to run a clinical trial.
Q. I think my idea will benefit patients, but it may not represent a high-value business opportunity. Will the Fogarty Institute consider my application?
Yes. Our primary mission is to support medical innovation that will benefit patients. If your innovation has the potential to significantly benefit patients, yet it won’t provide an investor with a sizeable ROI, that’s fine and we’d be happy to consider it.