The Innovation Scholars is a selective program that prepares students to think critically, develop curiosity and resiliency, and find their creative or entrepreneurial passions. Fifteen Innovation Scholars are selected each year and awarded $5,000 annually.

Program Highlights

Innovation Scholars gain the necessary mindset, knowledge, experiences and skills required to navigate our complex world. This program is designed for students who are curious, innovative or wish to create ways to improve the world around them.

Year One

  • Live in a dedicated Living Learning Community (LLC) for innovation.
  • Be assigned a mentor who will remain with them throughout their time at Elon.
  • Learn how to network within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
  • Enroll in ENT 2500: Creativity & the Doer/Maker Mindset (fall).
  • Take an introductory course on entrepreneurship BUS 1710 (spring).
  • Work on projects in the Maker Hub.

Year Two

  • Be eligible to apply to become a fellow through the Stanford d. school’s University Innovation Fellows (UIF), program.
  • Enroll in BUS 2110: Management Information Systems and ENT 3400: Entrepreneurial Finance (in semester of choice).
  • Take part in the Elon Innovation Challenge.
  • Work with a mentor.
  • Create an explainer video, wireframe and a Maker Hub project.
  • An opportunity to visit the entrepreneurial ecosystems of Raleigh, Durham and Greensboro in North Carolina.
  • Participate in a competition related to entrepreneurship, startups and/or venture finance or work on a creative project or venture supported by the Doherty Center for Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
  • Scholars will meet with entrepreneurs, investors and influential individuals in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation several times each semester.

Year Three

  • Coach first-year Innovation Scholars.
  • Lead Innovation workshops on campus.
  • Attend an entrepreneurship conference in North Carolina.
  • Take leadership roles in Elon’s UIF, the Elon Innovation Challenge or the Women and Entrepreneurship conference.
  • An opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., to learn about the startup ecosystem in the nation’s capital.
  • Participate in a two-week externship at a local startup.
  • Create a social or for-profit venture or engage in scholarly research related to innovation or entrepreneurship.
  • Participate in a competition related to entrepreneurship, startups and/or venture finance.
  • Volunteer at the Elon Incubator or Marketplace.

Year Four

  • Serve as a coach to second-year Innovation Scholars.
  • Work at the Elon Incubator, supporting startups.
  • Learn how to engage in due diligence and venture finance.
  • Participate in a two-week externship with a venture fund.
  • Enroll in ENT 4600: Bringing the Venture to Life and in at least one of the ENT minor electives.
  • Complete research, produce a scholarly paper and make a formal presentation.
  • An opportunity to visit Silicon Valley and experience the startup ecosystem.
  • Lead or participate in a competition related to entrepreneurship, startups and/or venture finance.

Ready to Apply?

Students with substantial and broad leadership experiences in their high school and/or communities are competitive candidates for Elon’s Scholars programs. Fifteen Innovation Scholars are selected in each first-year class.

The Innovation Scholars application is due January 10 and available in the first-year application. Decisions will be released in mid-March. Students may apply for a maximum of two programs:

  • Option 1: Two Fellows Programs. Under this option, you may apply to one school-based program (Business, Communications, Elon College, Engineering, Nursing or Teaching) and one non-school-based program (Honors or Leadership).
  • Option 2: One Fellows Program and one Scholars Program.
  • Option 3: Two Scholars Programs.

Please note that all Innovation Scholars must minor in Entrepreneurship Studies, are required to live in the Innovation Living Learning Community in Colonnades Neighborhood their first year, must have at least 3.0 GPA to apply and must maintain a 3.0 GPA while at Elon.