First-Year Innovation Fellowship Details
The First-Year Innovation Fellowship (FYIF) is a semester-long experiential program designed for first-year students eager to identify opportunities for change and develop creative solutions.
Starting in the 2025–2026 academic year, two cohorts will be held annually: one in the fall and one in the spring. All FYIF sessions meet in person on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 4:40 PM during the enrolled semester.
Through weekly interactive sessions, hands-on projects, and guidance from coaches and mentors, FYIF fellows:
- Learn tools for discovering and understanding real-world problems
- Explore creative and collaborative ways to approach challenges
- Connect with BU’s innovation and entrepreneurship community
- Gain practical skills in design thinking, customer discovery, prototyping, and pitching
- Reflect on their growth as changemakers and leaders
FYIF welcomes students from all backgrounds and majors—no previous experience with innovation is required. You don’t need an idea already; all you need is curiosity and a willingness to learn.
If accepted into FYIF, fellows are required to participate in the following program components.
- Customer Discovery Interviews: Talk to real people to learn more about the problems or topics you’re exploring.
- Attend Events: Go to 2 innovation or entrepreneurship events on campus or around Boston to get inspired and make connections.
- Coaching Sessions: Meet 3 times with a coach for personalized support and guidance.
- Prototype & Test Ideas: Build a simple prototype to bring your idea to life and get feedback.
- Final Presentation: Present what you learned and what you’d like to do next to peers, coaches, and the BU innovation community.
Requirements for Participation
- Be a full-time first-year undergraduate student at Boston University
- Commit to attending weekly sessions and completing program activities
- Submit a complete application, including a video response submission
Application Process
Applicants are encouraged to apply to the cohort that best fits their class schedule. Please review the important dates below for each cohort.
Please note that applications will be evaluated as we receive them and, once all spots are filled, the application will close.
- Fall 2025 Cohort
- Application Deadline: September 2, 2025
- Decisions Announced: Mid-September
- Program Runs: Late September – December 9, 2025
- Spring 2026 Cohort
- Early Application Opens: November 17th, 2025
- Early Application Deadline: December 8th, 2025
- Early Applicant Notification Sent By: December 19th, 2025
- Regular Application Opens: December 9th, 2025
- Regular Application Closes: January 9th, 2026
- Notifications Sent By: January 14, 2026
- Program Runs: January 20, 2026 – April 28, 2026
- Weekly Meetings: Tuesdays, 3:30 – 4:30 PM
How Fellows Are Selected
- Fellows must submit a short online application
- Applications include several short-answer questions designed to help us understand your interests, curiosity, and motivation for exploring innovation and problem-solving.
- No previous experience in innovation or entrepreneurship is required—we’re looking for students who are open-minded, eager to learn, and excited to explore real-world challenges.
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants will typically hear back within one week of submitting their application and may continue to receive decisions up until the final deadline.
If you have any questions about the application or program, please reach out to fyif@bu.edu.
FAQ’s
What is the First-Year Innovation Fellowship (FYIF) program?
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.
Who is eligible to apply for the FYIF program?
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.
Do I need to have an idea to apply?
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.
What are the goals of the FYIF program?
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.
How will the FYIF program connect me with BU and Boston’s innovation and entrepreneurship resources?
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.
What are the expectations and commitments for fellows in the FYIF program?
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.
What happens if I cannot attend a mandatory workshop?
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.
Will there be community cohort gatherings, and are they mandatory?
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.
How often will coaching meetings take place?
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.
What is the FYIF Final Showcase, and what is expected of Fellows?
The FYIF Final 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.
How will FYIF communications be handled?
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.
What is the work that we have to complete in FYIF?
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.
How does the FYIF Seed Grant work?
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.
Can the seed grant be used beyond the first year at BU?
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.
How can I make the most of my participation in the FYIF program?
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!
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