University of Southern Maine established the the Shaw Innovation Fellows Program that awarded up to five incoming or enrolled USM Graduate students each year with a $5,000 fellowship award.
The purpose of the Shaw Innovation Fellows Program was to support students passionate about elevating their educational experience through research driven by innovation, entrepreneurship, and exploration to solve problems.
The program sought proposals that demonstrate impact in solving human, environmental, economic, and societal problems of the 21st century and beyond.
Candidates proposed a range of transformative projects, some of which required community-based or global partners with and for whom the project has impact, while also relating to a field of study. Through a highly selective competitive application process overseen by a diverse Advisory Board included USM faculty, David Shaw, industry leaders and innovators, up to five Shaw Fellows were selected annually.
Each selected Shaw Fellow was awarded a $5,000 grant to conduct and execute their projects and to participate in a year-long interdisciplinary, collaborative program of featured speakers, professional development, innovation, community engagement and service, and mentoring opportunities all of which was designed to strengthen and broaden the Fellows’ skills and research projects.