The LAUNCH System Challenge 2013

Michael Schwager, Minister-Counsellor (Education, Science and Technology) of the Embassy in Australia in Washington, has asked us to publicise the following information.

LAUNCH - a collaboration between NASA, USAID, US Department of State and NIKE, aims to identify and support the innovative work contributing to a sustainable future and accelerate solutions to meet urgent challenges facing our society. This initiative may be of interested to Australian applicants.

The following videos provide a useful overview of what LAUNCH is doing:

http://vimeo.com/37685294

http://vimeo.com/64939206

The LAUNCH System Challenge 2013 seeks innovations in the materials of which fabrics are made with a focus on positive social environmental impact, and the manufacturing of fabrics utilising low or positive environmental impact approaches. Examples include -

·         Multi-purpose synthetic and bio-synthetic materials

·         Smart and/or healing materials

·         Fabrics that efficiently and effectively enable recycling

·         Applications that eliminate toxins in fabrics

·         Low or positive environmental impacts “feedstocks”

·         Data generation and capture technologies and mechanisms that enable traceability across a product of fabric’s lifecycle.

·         Manufacturing processes that reuse waste

·         Manufacturing processes and technologies that enable maximum conversion of materials and minimum consumption of natural resources.

More information including eligibility, evaluation criteria are outlined at http://www.launch.org/challenges/systems-2013#readmore

The best proposals will be invited to a two-day event hosted by LAUNCH collaborators to present to the LAUNCH Council, a group of 40 thought leaders in business, government, science, technology and communications. All expenses paid travel to attend the event which is to be held 26-28 September 2013.

Early bird submissions are due 15 June 2013, where 10 innovators that apply by June 15 deadline will be selected to qualify. Official closure for submissions is 15 July 2013, where further applicants are considered.

Please direct all enquiries to:

Michael Schwager

Minister-Counsellor (Education, Science and Technology)

Embassy of Australia

1601 Massachusetts Ave NW

Washington DC  20036

Tel: +1 202 797 3440

Mobile: +1 202 341 8877
Email: michael.schwager@innovation.gov.au