Undergraduate and graduate students from any discipline who have successfully completed the IDEA 4000/6000 Innovation and Catalyst Design course may apply to become Fellows leading up to the start of the Fall, Spring, and Maymester / Summer semesters.
The SIFP Application and Selection Process: This highly competitive selection process considers academic achievement, demonstrated work ethic, performance in IDEA 4000/6000, and personal motivation to pursue opportunities in the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem at the University of Georgia.
- Prospective Fellows will submit a resume, a recommendation letter, and a cover letter in PDF format outlining interest in the program to [email protected] by the following deadlines:
- Fellows Beginning in Fall – April 1
- Fellows Beginning in Spring – November 1
- Selected semi-finalists will be invited to participate in a formal interview with the Program Instructor.
- Finalists will be offered Fellow positions and receive funding each semester in which they enroll in the IDEA 4020/6020 course.
- Fellows will be placed into Design Teams of generally 3-5 students and will typically complete two projects each semester.
*Selected Fellows are encouraged to actively participate for a minimum of two semesters and meet all expectations of the SIFP in order to retain their funding, including enrollment in the IDEA 4020/6020 course.
Opportunities and Benefits
SIFP is a wholistic Executive Development Program that provides tangible benefits.
- Innovation Competencies: Fellows are equipped with human-centered design methodologies and mindsets with a focus on empathy, problem solving, ideation, prototyping, pitching, and asset production.
- Multidisciplinary Project Based Learning: Fellows complete two real-world projects each semester as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Networking: Fellows build personal relationships amongst other Fellows, Project Sponsors, and Innovation District Faculty and Staff.
- Formal Executive Development: Fellows engage in a personalized executive development plan focused on enhancing leadership, interpersonal skills and management styles.
- Career Advancement: Fellows receive privileged access to events, thought leaders, and trainings that will shape their future.
- Scholarships: In addition to the $1,000 Fellow Semester Scholarship, Fellows have access to funding reserved for the SIFP program to support their engagement on select innovation-themed experiences.
