If you are interested and eligible, submit the interest form here by June 17. Once our team confirms your eligibility, we will follow up with further information. The timeline of submission for eligible participants is below:

1. NPLB will review interest form submissions and follow up with eligible respondents by June 18.

2. Eligible respondents will be invited to a competition kickoff call held the week of June 22 where they will meet the NPLB team and discuss the requirements for full proposal submission.

3. Following the kickoff call, respondents will be given two weeks to draft and submit full project proposals by July 8.

4. NPLB reviews and selects winning proposals by July 10. Decisions are final. First half of grant is paid to winners ($1,000). Respondents should not begin project execution until after July 10 announcements.

5. Winners will have 1.5 months to execute the full project outlined in their proposal and submit by August 21. Upon full project completion, second half of grant is paid ($1,000).

Following the required kickoff call, eligible participants will submit a full project proposal to NPLB by July 8. The full project proposal will include:

1. Completion of the free, online Biotech Unveiled course.

2. All applicants must certify that they have read “Resolving the Massachusetts Paradox” article

3. 300–500 Word Concept Proposal
   Describe your film or multimedia storytelling concept that reframes how society perceives biomedical innovation and patient access. For guidance on how the criteria will be reviewed, see below.

4. Short Statement on Innovation & Affordability (150–250 words)
   Reflect on what you learned from Biotech Unveiled and how your story will highlight both innovation and access as essential parts of the same system.

5. Optional Portfolio Samples
   Upload up to three examples of prior creative or storytelling work (film, design, writing, or multimedia). Portfolio submission is optional.

Top applicants will be selected based on:

• Creativity and clarity of concept

• Relevance to the theme of innovation and affordability

• Demonstrated storytelling potential

• Completion of all eligibility requirements

Decisions are final and will be communicated by email.

The $2,000 award for selected proposals will be distributed as $1,000 at proposal selection, $1,000 at project completion.

You may elect one of the following methods for receiving your award.

Option 1 – Direct Payment
If you elect to receive your prize as a direct payment, the award will be paid to you personally. Under IRS rules, this amount is considered taxable income. You will receive a Form 1099 for the value of the award, which should be reported on your income tax return.

Option 2 – 529 College Savings Plan
If you elect to have your prize paid directly into a 529 college savings plan administered by a state governmental unit, the payment will be made directly to that plan for your benefit. If structured this way, and subject to applicable IRS requirements, the award will generally not be considered taxable income to you.

Tax Disclaimer: We recommend that you consult with your personal tax advisor or professional to understand the tax implications of your prize selection and to ensure appropriate tax reporting.

COPYRIGHT AND USAGE NOTICE

By submitting your proposal, you affirm that all materials are your original work. If selected, you will retain ownership of your project. However, by accepting the award, you grant No Patient Left Behind and its partners a non-exclusive license to showcase excerpts or stills for educational, promotional, or public awareness purposes, with appropriate credit.

SUBMISSION AND CONTENT LICENSE

By submitting an entry to the MA Innovation Storytelling Challenge (the "Contest"), each entrant ("Participant") grants No Patient Left Behind, a fiscally sponsored project of Mission Edge San Diego (collectively, "Sponsor"), a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, worldwide license to reproduce, display, distribute, publish, and promote the submitted work (the "Submission") in whole or in part, in any medium now known or hereafter developed, for purposes related to Sponsor's organizational mission. Permitted uses include, but are not limited to, website display, social media, print and digital publications, grant reporting, and promotional materials. Sponsor will credit Participant as creator of the Submission when reasonably practicable. Participants retain all ownership rights in their Submissions.

ALL OTHER RULES/RELEASES will be provided at the required kickoff call the week of June 22.