Opening Day 2023 - Welcome to the 20th year of iGEM!
Today (May 10) is Opening Day - the official start of the 2023 iGEM Competition!
iGEMers have been building synthetic biology solutions to real-world problems for the past two decades. In this upcoming third decade of iGEM, what will you build?
The experience that you are about to begin is truly unique. You will be given the opportunity to dream up solutions with your multi-talented team, gain meaningful insights by engaging directly with the very stakeholders who you wish to impact, and learn how to advocate for your ideas to gain the space and funding to execute on them. An iGEM Project is a crash course in the essential skills that are needed to bring a project to life. It may not be easy, but it is worth it.
Here are some resources to help you get started:
Competition Updates
New in 2023
If you have participated in the iGEM Competition before, you'll know that there are a lot of things to keep track of. We’ve created a webpage to collect all the changes together in one place. See what's new in the 2023 Competition compared to previous years:
Updated roles for Team PI
New Registration Process for Commercial Teams
Tracks are now called Villages
Updates to Presentation Deliverables
New Deliverable: Project Software
Project Attributions now a Form
Changes to Medal Criteria
Limit on Special Prizes: Three (3) Nominations
New Special Prize: Best New Improved Part
Updated Judging Rubric
Read more: competition.igem.org/participation/new-in-2023
Do you know the Rules and Policies?
Every person who participates in the iGEM Competition is responsible for understanding the rules and policies. Make sure you have read:
Rules of conduct
Safety Rules
Safety Policies
Communications Policies
Anti-Harassment Policy
Read more: competition.igem.org/participation/rules-and-policies
Distribution Kits Coming Soon!
Distribution Kits are being manufactured by Asimov, and will start to ship out to teams in weekly batches starting this week! Keep an eye out in your lab mail for your Distribution Kit in the coming weeks, and tag us @igem_hq and use #WelcometoiGEM on Instagram to be reposted!
Please note that the pandemic continues to have an effect on global shipping. If you or your institution knows of any supporting documentation that we can include in the shipment to ensure success, please send us that documentation. This could include import permits, letters of support, quarantine documents. Please email your documentation to hq [AT] igem [DOT] org as soon as possible.
technology.igem.org/distribution/handbook
Need Project Inspiration?
Check out this blog collection for ideas:
blog.igem.org/project-inspiration
Get Connected
Mentorship Program
The iGEM Mentorship Program connects experienced iGEM alumni with newer iGEM teams to guide them throughout the Competition. This experience serves as a developmental opportunity for both mentors and mentees! Applications close May 12, 23:59 UTC (2 Days!)
community.igem.org/projects/mentorship-program
Organize Team Meetups
Is your team organizing an iGEM Team Meetup during the 2023 Competition season? Let us know! Submit your meetup and we will publish it on the iGEM Community website.
community.igem.org/events/meetups
Join the 2023 iGEM Global Slack
Start connecting with other teams! Join Slack to chat with other teams around the world, discover their projects, create exciting and useful collaborations, and help each other.
competition.igem.org/participation/connect
Fundraising & Sponsorships
Note that the following opportunities are only available to teams that have completed registration and payment, and are accepted for the 2023 iGEM Competition! Don't forget to complete your team registration by May 31.
Team Impact Grant
In the last two years, with the support from Frederick Gardner Cottrell Foundation, we launched this initiative that provided grants to help iGEM teams take their projects further than ever before. Based on the last two years’ success, we are excited to continue this program for the 2023 season! This year we will again select up to 90 iGEM teams, and each team will be granted $2,500 USD. Applications close June 18 at 23:59 UTC.
competition.igem.org/sponsorships/impact-grant
Asimov Team Grant
The Asimov team grant is now open: You submit mammalian part designs and Asimov will build and characterize those parts in mammalian cells for selected teams. Applications close May 20 at 03:59 UTC (9 days!).
competition.igem.org/sponsorships/asimov
FREE IDT gene fragments
IDT is celebrating 10 years of Sponsorship with iGEM this year! All iGEM Competition teams can get up to 20 kb of FREE IDT gene fragments for use in their iGEM project. Register with IDT by October 2.
competition.igem.org/sponsorships/idt
GenScript Sponsorship Giveaway
GenScript is continuing their sponsorship giveaway competition for iGEM teams. Teams have the opportunity to win $2,000 USD and a $1,000 Amazon gift card through the months of May to September. One winner will be selected per month. GenScript is also giving away FREE plasmid prep services. Apply today!
competition.igem.org/sponsorships/genscript
Sponsor Special Offers
Get up to 10 kb of FREE Twist gene fragments - More information coming soon
Complimentary MATLAB software for iGEM 2023 teams for use in the Competition competition.igem.org/sponsorships/special-offers
More special offers coming soon! competition.igem.org/sponsorships/special-offers
How to fundraise for your iGEM team
Check out this starter guide on how to fundraise for any kind of project, including iGEM Projects: competition.igem.org/participation/fundraising
iGEM Programs
iGEM Startups Summer School
Is your iGEM team looking to bring entrepreneurship into your project?
Are you in on the race for the Best Supporting Entrepreneurship Prize?
Sign up for the iGEM Startups Summer School - our two day Bootcamp teaching iGEM teams the basics of how to sucessfully incorporate entrepreneurship into your iGEM project.
The Summer School takes place on July 15 & 16, from 14:00 UTC to 17:00 UTC! Exciting workshops, high profile speakers and most importantly: Lots of insider knowledge and fun! Save your spot and get a headstart for Best Supporting Entrepreneurship! https://form.typeform.com/to/CKixkIvk
Don't forget... Late Registration ends May 31. All teams must finalize registration and payment by May 31 to participate in the 2023 iGEM Competition! competition.igem.org/registration/how-to-register
