CoMotion Mary Gates Innovation Scholars

The CoMotion Mary Gates Innovation Scholars program provides opportunities for a select number of students to gain full-time experience learning about the innovation process by spending the summer as an intern with faculty-led initiatives to transfer university research to real-world impact. The UW teams are engaged in developing intellectual property generated by faculty, staff, and students in a variety of areas. Innovation Scholars will contribute to the work of these emerging companies and licensing opportunities, extending their learning from the classroom into the realm of innovation and entrepreneurship. Selected interns may be working on further development or testing of core concepts, or be engaged in the development of other aspects of the projects such as data analysis, marketing, customer surveys, etc.

This is a chance for students to build on their strengths and extend their knowledge in new and exciting directions. Each position has unique pre-requisites and eligibility requirements, and applicants must indicate which position(s) interest them. CoMotion Mary Gates Innovation Scholars will receive a $5,000 scholarship award for full-time engagement for nine weeks, and will participate in cohort activities and special seminars. Meet some of the 2020,  2019 and 2018 CoMotion Mary Gates Innovation Scholars, and learn more about UW research projects they worked on.

UW undergraduate students from any of the three UW campuses are eligible to apply. Learn more below, then apply here.

Additionally, awardees will be required to:

• Complete a full-time intensive internship experience with one of the startup initiatives at/near the UW Seattle campus
• Enroll in two credits of General Studies through Educational Outreach
• Attend special seminars and workshops designed specifically for the internship program
• Maintain open communication with project mentor(s) and program staff throughout the summer
• Present their work in a culminating event and at the UW Undergraduate Research Symposium (as appropriate)

Required application materials include .pdf versions of:

• Statement of purpose (500 words)
• Personal statement (optional, 150 words)
• Your preferences of the projects listed, including explanation of choices
• Your resume or CV
• Permission to access your UW transcript
• One letter of recommendation from a faculty member

The faculty recommender should be familiar with your coursework or (where applicable) prior research or internship experience. After you submit your faculty recommender contact information in the online application, your recommender will receive an email message requesting the letter. We encourage you to discuss your request for a letter of recommendation with the faculty recommender as early as possible and prior to providing your recommender’s contact information in the online system.