24 students at the University of Iowa were awarded cash prizes after successfully sharing their idea in two minute or less in four uniquely-focused "IdeaStorm" competitions staged in early February at various locations on the UI campus. IdeaStorms are entry level pitch competitions coordinated by the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) across the University of Iowa's campus that encourage students to share their innovative ideas with others, all while familiarizing themselves with the pitching process. They encourage UI students to share their new, never heard before ideas without the requirements of a business plan or proposal and provide a collaborative environment where students can get feedback and resources on how to make their ideas into a reality. Students share their business idea in two minutes or less with a panel of judges and an audience. The top ideas at each competition will be awarded cash prizes to help take their idea to the next level.

Three University of Iowa undergraduates, Megan Hynd, Elizabeth Kruse, and Madison Merfeld, were recipients of 2019 Iowa Neuroscience Institute (INI) Summer Scholar Award. The INI Summer Scholar Program supports University of Iowa undergraduates planning to pursue research during the summer in the lab of an INI faculty member. As INI Summer Scholars, the students received a stipend of $5,000 and had the opportunity to attend a summer undergraduate seminar series and a variety of informal events.