University of Washington

Student Resources

CoMotion Mary Gates Innovation Scholars

CoMotion Mary Gates Innovation Scholars

Overview

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 2018 CoMotion Mary Gates Innovation Scholars, and learn more about UW research projects they worked on.

Eligibility

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)

Recruiting Process

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.

Jeanette Ennis

Associate Director of Innovation Investment

Jeanette Ennis supports UW researchers pursuing grant money to commercialize their innovations, and helps CoMotion secure economic development grant opportunities. Ennis joined CoMotion in 2009 after more than 15 years of broad research experience as a scientist, entrepreneur, and manager. Her areas of expertise include pharmacology, biochemistry, molecular biology, tissue engineering, and medical devices. She has worked with a variety of start-up companies as project manager, grant writer, and intellectual property manager, and held senior research positions at Cornell University and the UW Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery. She earned a doctorate in medical and molecular pharmacology from the University of California, Los Angeles, where she trained with Louis Ignarro, Nobel Laureate in Physiology. She also holds a certificate in technical writing and editing from the UW Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering.