University Innovation Fellows Program
Become an agent of change in higher education and unlock creative potential on your campus
Program Mission
The University Innovation Fellows (UIF) program empowers students around the world to become agents of change in higher education. Fellows create opportunities that help their peers unlock their creative potential and develop the design-centered mindset required to take on complex challenges in today’s world.
What Fellows Do
- Campus innovation: Launch maker spaces, innovation labs, and entrepreneurship programs
- Student engagement: Organize hackathons, design challenges, and startup competitions
- Curriculum development: Work with faculty to integrate innovation into coursework
- Community building: Create networks of innovative students and entrepreneurs
- Social impact: Address real-world problems through design thinking
Program Benefits
- Training: 6-week experiential online program
- Mentorship: Year-round guidance from industry leaders
- Networking: Annual conference in Silicon Valley
- Skills development: Design thinking, leadership, entrepreneurship
- Portfolio building: Real projects with measurable impact
- Career opportunities: Connection to startup ecosystem and employers
Perfect for Illinois Tech Students
- All majors welcome: Technology, business, design, and humanities students
- IIT’s innovation focus: Perfect alignment with Illinois Tech’s entrepreneurial mission
- Leadership development: Build skills valued by tech employers
- Network building: Connect with innovators globally
- Real impact: Create lasting change on campus and beyond
Eligibility
- Students of all majors and academic levels (freshmen to PhDs)
- Passion for innovation and entrepreneurship
- Desire to create positive change in education
- Commitment to 6-week training program
- Willingness to implement projects on campus
Application Process
Applications typically open in fall and spring. The selection process includes an online application, video submission, and assessment of innovative thinking and leadership potential.
Stanford d.school Partnership
Program developed by Stanford’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design
Global Network: Over 2,000 Fellows from 250+ universities
Contact: uifprogram@stanford.edu
