UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A new one-year fellowship program created by Penn State’s Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) aims to give students and early-career professionals hands-on experience in taking scientific discoveries from the lab to the marketplace.
The Next-Gen Innovators Program, a paid fellowship opportunity, is designed to train the next generation of leaders in technology commercialization through a cross-sector experience that includes rotations with a venture capital firm, a technology-based startup company and OTT.
Applications are now open and will be accepted until all spaces have been filled, with selected fellows expected to begin the program in June.
“We’re creating a new, comprehensive approach to workforce development in research translation,” said Bin Yan, associate vice president for research and director of OTT. “This is about building long-term capacity and equipping future innovators with the tools to navigate the full spectrum of commercialization — intellectual property, venture capital and entrepreneurial operations.”
Throughout the year, fellows will spend 20 hours per week immersed in key environments within the commercialization pipeline. They will begin with four months in OTT, where they’ll have opportunities to gain experience in technology assessment, patenting procedures and licensing strategies. Fellows will then rotate through Ben Franklin Technology Partners, a State College-based organization focused on early-stage investment and economic development. The program concludes with placement at a startup company, providing direct exposure to business operations and go-to-market strategy.
Fellows may also complete a rotation with a university relations department of a Philadelphia-based venture capital firm, learning more about how investors evaluate innovation and manage academic partnerships.
“This fellowship offers a distinctive, hands-on opportunity for motivated individuals to deepen their understanding of technology commercialization by working alongside seasoned professionals who bring diverse perspectives from across the innovation ecosystem,” said Brad Swope, associate director of OTT.
The fellowship is open to applicants with a background in life sciences, physical sciences, law or business. A bachelor’s degree in a technical field is preferred, and graduate students, particularly those pursuing a law degree, master of science, master of business administration or doctorate, are encouraged to apply. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills, including the ability to convey technical information to diverse audiences.
The fellowship runs approximately 48 weeks, with the possibility of additional full-time hours during the final rotation.
For more information, or to apply, visit the internal job posting.