“Rífa-te por la ciencia”
First Raffle
The first fundraising raffle, “Rífa-te por la ciencia” (“Raffle Yourself for Science”) (Image 1), organized by the Social Media Commission took place on March 31, 2024 and the winners were announced through a live transmission on Instagram and Facebook. The objective was to sell 1,000 tickets at a price of $100.00 MXN each.
The prizes awarded were as follows:
- First place: HP Laptop
- Second place: Nintendo Switch
- Third place: Annual Six Flags passes
- Fourth place: Smartwatch
The total funds raised amounted to $100,000.00 MXN. These proceeds were primarily allocated to cover the iGEM competition registration fee, with additional financial support provided by Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Cuajimalpa Unit (UAM Cuajimalpa).
Second Raffle
The second fundraising raffle, “Rífa-te por la ciencia II” (“Raffle Yourself for Science II”) (Image 2), was held on July 25, 2025, at 4:00 PM. The winners were announced through a live transmission on Instagram.
The prizes awarded were as follows:
- First place: Smart TV
- Second place: Tablet
- Third place: Air fryer
- Fourth place: Bluetooth speaker
Each ticket was priced at $90.00 MXN. Unfortunately, not all tickets were sold; only 325 of 430 tickets were purchased, resulting in a total of $29,250.00 MXN raised. These funds were allocated to cover the iGEM judging fee and the purchase of laboratory materials.
UAM C- Market
One of the mechanisms for raising funds was the participation in the UAM C market, an initiative organized by students to provide two days each month for the community to offer their products—such as notebooks, food, and clothing—to fellow students and staff. The third generation of iGEM UAM joined this effort by selling pizzas and tacos dorados, demonstrating that every contribution, no matter how small, was valuable in supporting the development of our project and covering competition-related expenses.
DNA Workshop: Editing and Transformation
Another fundraising initiative was the DNA Workshop: Editing and Transformation (see more in Education), offered to anyone interested in exploring synthetic biology in a hands-on setting. This workshop was held in collaboration with OpenLab Mx and had a fee of $2,000 per participant, which covered all materials required for the laboratory practicals as well as the 20 hours of theoretical instruction. By combining engaging, practical learning with expert guidance, this initiative not only promoted scientific education but also contributed to raising funds for the project.
Institutional support
To secure institutional support, the team leader prepared presentations detailing the nature of the competition, highlighting that we were the third-generation team carrying forward a legacy, and outlining our objectives, including the research project we intended to develop. The presentations also emphasized potential strategies for collaboration with various departments across the UAM units. Within this framework, several educational activities were designed and implemented in partnership with these departments, fostering engagement and promoting scientific outreach throughout the university community.
UAM Student Associations 2024 from the UAM Knowledge Communication Department
Another mechanism of fundraising was participating in and being selected for the UAM 2024 Student Associations Call for Proposals, organized by the UAM's Knowledge Communication Department. Through this program, the team received materials and resources to strengthen science outreach activities, including supplies for the Batik workshop and audio equipment for conducting interviews. This initiative not only provided valuable tools to expand our educational efforts but also reinforced the university’s commitment to promoting student-led projects in science communication.
Institutional support
To secure institutional support, the team leader prepared presentations detailing the nature of the competition, highlighting that we were the third-generation team carrying forward a legacy, and outlining our objectives, including the research project we intended to develop. The presentations also emphasized potential strategies for collaboration with various departments across the UAM units. Within this framework, several educational activities were designed and implemented in partnership with these departments, fostering engagement and promoting scientific outreach throughout the university community.
UAM Student Associations 2024 from the UAM Knowledge Communication Department
Another mechanism of fundraising was participating in and being selected for the UAM 2024 Student Associations Call for Proposals, organized by the UAM's Knowledge Communication Department. Through this program, the team received materials and resources to strengthen science outreach activities, including supplies for the Batik workshop and audio equipment for conducting interviews. This initiative not only provided valuable tools to expand our educational efforts but also reinforced the university’s commitment to promoting student-led projects in science communication.