Shaw Innovation Fellows Program FAQ’s
Who can apply?
All incoming or continuing USM degree-seeking graduate students are encouraged to apply. Upper level, enrolled undergraduates who are working with a faculty advisor may also apply.
How do I apply?
To submit a proposal for the Shaw Innovation Fellows Program, you must complete the required application, and submit the required materials. The deadline for submissions for the 2023-2024 academic year is March 10, 2023 at 11:59pm EST.
How many Fellows will be selected?
Up to five fellows will be selected each year.
What is the duration of the fellowship?
Shaw Innovation Fellowships will last one academic year.
What is the compensation
Each fellow will receive an award of $5,000 for the year.
What is the relationship between the Shaw Innovation Fellows and the Promise Scholars program?
Fellows will provide mentorship to undergraduate students in the USM Promise Scholars program (which helps underserved students overcome structural barriers to earn their college degree). Fellows will be paired with Promise Scholars to serve as a mentor and assist in shared projects.*It is recommended that Shaw Innovation Fellow Candidates explore and learn about the USM Promise Scholars, some of whom will be matched with Fellows to participate and learn from Fellows’ projects.
What are the mentorship opportunities?
Mentorship is a key component of the Shaw Innovation Fellowship program. Students will be connected to faculty, business leaders, and practitioners in the community to establish meaningful mentorships that link academic research to their chosen field.
Fellows will also provide mentorship to undergraduate students in the USM Promise Scholars program.
What financial resources are available to support Fellows’ projects??
Each proposal may request a budget of up to $500 to support implementation of the project, such as equipment, supplies, etc. If any additional resources are needed, detailed project budgets should be provided, and limited support may be available.
If I am an undergraduate student, can I apply?
Upper level, enrolled degree-seeking undergraduates may apply. They must identify a faculty advisor whom they will be working with.
Can I be a graduate assistant (GA) and a Shaw Fellow concurrently?
Yes, being a USM graduate assistant does not preclude you from applying for a Shaw Innovation fellowship.
What is the final deliverable for the fellowship?
Fellows will participate in a year-long series of collaborative programming to include featured speakers, professional development and networking events, community engagement and service, and mentoring opportunities. Fellows will present the resulting project/research in both digital form for USM records and at the Thinking Matters Symposium to be hosted each year at USM.