First-Year Innovation Fellowship Details

FYIF helps incoming first-year students launch or further develop ideas with meaningful impact. It provides resources, coaching, and a supportive community to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.

Incoming first-year students at BU who are interested in innovation and entrepreneurship, with a passion for problem-solving and a desire to make a positive impact, are eligible to apply for the FYIF program. Students must also be entering BU in the Fall of 2024 and should be able to commit at least 6 hours a month of their time to the program. First-Year Transfer Students are not eligible to participate. See the events dates on the FYIF Calendar.

You do not need a fully formed idea to apply. In the application, you are asked to describe an idea or a problem that you are discontented with in the world. We are interested in seeing areas where you are looking to make an impact rather than a fully developed idea.

The FYIF program aims to help fellows develop innovation skills, foster an entrepreneurial mindset, and connect fellows with BU and Boston’s innovation and entrepreneurship resources and community. The program focuses on the development of students’ leadership capabilities and collaboration skills in an environment conducive to creative thinking. FYIF also encourages students to embrace the beginner mindset and absorb different perspectives as they discover new ways to make an impact throughout their entrepreneurial journey. By participating in the program, fellows will have the opportunity to form lasting relationships and learn valuable skills for long-term success.

The program offers service learning opportunities that connect fellows with organizations and businesses in the Boston area, immersing them in the city’s vibrant innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems. Fellows will engage with BU faculty and staff, collaborate with local community changemakers, and build peer networks, helping them forge strong connections within Boston’s innovation community.

Fellows are expected to engage fully in the program. The fall semester focuses on community building, understanding the problem, and connecting with resources, while the spring semester emphasizes idea development. Attendance at monthly mandatory workshops, community sessions, one Innovate@BU event, coaching sessions, submission of related deliverables, and participation in additional Innovate@BU programs as appropriate are expected. On average students are asked to commit at least 6 hours a month to the program.

If you need to miss a mandatory workshop, it is your responsibility to notify the FYIF program staff at least 24 hours in advance via email (fyif@bu.edu). You should provide a plan for following up within one week of the missed program to review content and next steps. The program has a two-strikes policy, and missing two or more mandatory meetings without taking appropriate steps may result in being asked to leave the program.

Yes, community cohort gatherings will take place to foster deeper connections within the cohort and the innovation and entrepreneurship community. These gatherings are fun and engaging experiences. Some community events are mandatory while some are optional.

Fellows will be asked to complete a monthly check-in with the FYIF coach and FYIF Staff to receive one-on-one coaching and support. Fellows will also be paired with a peer mentor and will be encouraged to check in with their peer mentor once a month.

The FYIF May Showcase is a culminating showcase event open to the broader BU community. Fellows will present their work-to-date, focusing on personal growth and how their ideas have developed and changed over time. Ideas are not expected to be fully developed at this stage.

Communications will primarily be through email, with most program emails coming from fyif@bu.edu. Students are expected to respond within 24 hours on weekdays. Calendar invites will be used for sharing monthly mandatory and optional events, and students are encouraged to check the Innovate@BU Events Calendar for other relevant events. Outside of email, you will receive quick updates via a group me chat.

You will complete deliverables every month to prepare for your cumulative pitch at the end of the program. Each deliverable will follow a hands-on approach, requiring you to apply your learnings from the workshops to your ideas.

All participants are eligible for a $500 seed grant as they demonstrate progress on their idea throughout the year. To apply for the funds, students must submit a detailed budget outlining how the money will be spent on their idea. The budget request needs to be approved by the Program Director.

Yes, FYIF funding does not need to be spent during the first year at BU but must be requested by the end of the calendar year of the completion year. The funds remain available to students through the 2025 calendar year and will be only available to current BU students.

To make the most of the FYIF program, it is recommended to engage fully, attend all of the events, and complete all of the deliverables. It is also recommended to really commit to the program and the process you will embark on. Make sure to show up for coaching meetings and be there for your other fellows!