Awkward Idea Fellowship Programme Terms

1. The programme

The Awkward Idea Fellowship is a selective JMS Dev Lab programme. Two founding projects are expected to be selected. Each fellowship offers product and technical advice plus up to 40 hours of focused development, with a maximum stated support value of €6,000.

2. Eligibility

Individuals, teams, existing small businesses, charities and community organisations may apply. Applicants must be at least 18 and legally able to enter an agreement. JMS may exclude projects that create unacceptable legal, safety, ethical or reputational risk.

3. Selection

This is a judged selection programme, not a random draw or public vote. Applications are assessed on problem severity, domain insight, evidence, applicant effort, achievable scope, safety and potential value. Applying, being shortlisted or completing a finalist session does not guarantee selection.

4. Dates

Applications for the founding cohort close at 23:59 Irish time on 30 September 2026. JMS expects to shortlist and select during October 2026 and begin work in November. JMS may make reasonable date changes and will notify affected applicants.

5. What is included

The exact outcome is agreed in writing with each selected founder. It may be a feasibility assessment, validation plan, prototype or one narrowly defined production outcome. Advisory sessions and introductions are guidance, not legal, financial, tax, investment or regulated professional advice.

6. What is not included

The fellowship does not guarantee a complete application, unlimited changes, hosting, paid licences, advertising, funding, revenue, customers or commercial success. Third-party costs are excluded unless JMS confirms otherwise in writing.

7. Founder participation

Selected founders must contribute timely decisions, domain expertise, user access where appropriate, testing and agreed validation work. If participation repeatedly stops, JMS may pause or end the fellowship after reasonable notice.

8. Ownership and confidentiality

Submitting an application does not transfer ownership of the applicant’s existing material. For selected projects, a separate participation agreement will define ownership before development begins. The intended position is that the founder owns bespoke deliverables while JMS retains its pre-existing tools, reusable libraries, methods and general know-how. Applications are reviewed privately and will not be published as case studies without separate permission. Applicants should not submit trade secrets that are unnecessary for assessment.

9. No equity or future obligation

JMS takes no equity through the founding-cohort fellowship. Selection does not require the founder to purchase later work, and JMS is not obliged to offer further unpaid work. Any later commercial or investment arrangement would be separate and voluntary.

10. Personal data

JMS Dev Lab is the controller of application data. We process it to administer applications, evaluate candidates, communicate decisions and operate the programme. The legal bases are steps requested before a possible agreement and our legitimate interest in operating and improving the programme.

We collect contact details, application answers and correspondence. Review access is limited to JMS and any specifically appointed reviewers who are subject to confidentiality. We do not sell application data. Unsuccessful applications will normally be deleted within 12 months after the cohort decision; selected-project records may be retained for the contract, legal and accounting periods that apply.

You may request access, correction, deletion, restriction or objection where applicable by emailing [email protected]. You may also complain to the Irish Data Protection Commission. See the general privacy policy.

11. Accuracy and conduct

Applicants must provide substantially accurate information and must have permission to share submitted material. Harassment, discrimination, infringement, deception or unlawful conduct may result in removal from the process.

12. Changes and cancellation

JMS may amend, postpone or cancel the programme where operational, legal or safety circumstances reasonably require it. If a selected fellowship cannot proceed, JMS will communicate directly and will not represent unperformed work as delivered.

13. Contact

Questions can be sent to [email protected]. These public terms are an application framework; selected founders will receive a project-specific written agreement before work begins.