Fellow for New Ventures
Internal — Cornell University only
Fellow for New Ventures supports entrepreneurial scientists and engineers in developing Cornell technologies and building ventures based on university intellectual property to advance commercialization.
Funder: Cornell University
Due Dates: November 20, 2026 (Info session) | December 11, 2026 (Info session) | January 29, 2027 (Info session) | February 12, 2027 (Info session) | February 19, 2027 (Application deadline, 11:59 p.m. ET)
Funding Amounts: Approximately $120,000 per year for fellow compensation and basic experiment expenses
Summary: Funds and trains entrepreneurial scientists to develop Cornell technologies and launch ventures based on Cornell intellectual property.
Key Information: Fellows commit full-time as Cornell employees; financial support becomes SAFE-note principal once the startup is established.
Description
Fellow for New Ventures is a signature program of Ignite: Cornell Research Lab to Market, managed by Cornell University’s Center for Technology Licensing (CTL). Launched in 2022, it supports Ph.D. and master’s-trained scientists and engineers with entrepreneurial outlooks to build technology ventures based on Cornell intellectual property. Each fellow partners with a faculty inventor and works in the inventor’s lab on technology development, with access to Cornell’s incubator network for business development.
The program aims to advance technology commercialization, grow entrepreneur scientists and engineers, and create high-value startup companies. Training covers incorporation, intellectual property protection, license negotiation, market discovery, pitching, and funding opportunities. Fellows receive individual mentorship through Cornell incubators and participate in monthly cohort meetups with external speakers and partners.
