Entrepreneurial Fellowships offer recent PhD and MBA graduates interested in entrepreneurship the opportunity to partner with Northwestern faculty to advance Northwestern innovations towards commercialization.
During the one-year program, Fellows will undertake development and commercialization plans for a Northwestern technology with the goal of launching a startup company.
2025-2026 Entrepreneurial Fellows Cohort: Interested candidates may email inquires to the InQbation Lab.
Jack McGee, PhD
Co-found, ImmPro; 2024 Entrepreneurial Fellows
"The Entrepreneurial Fellowship was the difference between having an idea and building a real company. It allowed me to focus on spinning out, gaining entrepreneurial skills, and building both science and fundraising materials full-time; without it, we wouldn't be anywhere close to where we are today."
Yosi Kratish, PhD
Inventor and Founder, NylaNova; 2024 Entrepreneurial fellows
"The EF program is the cornerstone of my entrepreneurial journey, fundamentally transforming te way I think about translating technology from basic research into real-world impact. As a result, I now feel more prepared to face the challenges of tech entrepreneurship and, building on this solid foundation, I successfully launched my company, NylaNova."
Fellowship Details
Application
You may submit an application for FY 2026. EF candidates must submit a cover letter, a slide-deck proposal of work, and letters of support.
Key Program Details
- Term: 1 year
- Salary: $80k + benefits
- Stipend: $10k for supplies, travel, etc.
Fellowship Eligibility
Applicants must be PhD or MBA graduates having received their degree within five years of the program start date.
Prior to applying, candidates must verify their desired fellowship project and obtain a written letter of endorsement from the respective Northwestern faculty PI-innovator. If applicant requires help with project identification, the InQbation Lab may offer several opportunities that the applicant can explore – please email inQbationlab@northwestern.edu.