Biodesign Innovation Fellowship
About the Innovation Fellowship
Ready to take your career in health technology innovation to the next level? The Biodesign Innovation Fellowship is a 10-month experience that equips aspiring innovators with a proven, repeatable process to identify important health-related needs, invent novel health technologies to address them (including medical devices, diagnostics, digital health, drug delivery, and biotechnology solutions), and prepare to implement those products into patient care through start-up, corporations, or other channels. In addition, the Innovation Fellows become part of the Stanford Biodesign community, which is a life-long, worldwide network of innovators passionate about improving healthcare.
Program Details
Why
The Stanford Biodesign Innovation Fellowship is a launch pad for initiating, redirecting, or accelerating a career in health technology innovation. Stanford Biodesign graduates apply their talents to:
- Catalyzing innovation inside major medical device, diagnostic, digital health, and biotechnology companies
- Building their own health technology start-ups
- Teaching and/or leading translational research programs for world-class universities
- Driving innovation initiatives within academic or private medical centers
- Becoming specialists in design, investing, or other aspects of the health technology innovation ecosystem
They also become part of the Stanford Biodesign community, which is a life-long, worldwide network of innovators passionate about improving healthcare.
Who
Individuals with advanced degrees and/or substantial work experience in the engineering, life sciences, computer science, business, product design, law, medical, or nursing fields are encouraged to apply. Fellows will be selected based on their experience, passion, and drive, as well as their potential to become leading innovators in the health technology field.
Innovation Fellows come from a diversity of educational, professional, and personal backgrounds, so there’s no single profile that reflects an “ideal” candidate. That said, you can find useful guidance in this section of our website to help you Assess Your Fit with the program and ensure the time is right for you to apply!
Where
Stanford Biodesign Fellows become members of the Stanford Biodesign team at the James H. Clark Center on the Stanford University campus. Needs finding is completed at Stanford Health Care, as well as a variety of other clinical and community-based settings across the continuum of care.
When
The fellowship is a full-time, intensive experience that runs from the beginning of August through early June each year. Stanford Biodesign Innovation Fellows receive a monthly stipend and health benefits during their fellowship period.
How
Applications for the 2027-28 fellowship open on June 8, 2026. The deadline to submit a complete application is August 27, 2026. Detailed information about the program is available throughout this section of our website. Be sure to review the information thoroughly before applying, especially our Frequently Asked Questions page.
The Stanford Biodesign Advantage
Explore the unique advantages that make the Innovation Fellowship the premier health technology innovation education experience….
First in class
Become part of the first, most established health technology innovation training program in the world
Passionate People
Team up with creative innovators – from diverse backgrounds – who share your passion for changing patient lives
Thought Leadership
Learn from the best –
we (literally) wrote the book on health technology innovation
Expert Mentors
Receive hands-on mentoring and guidance from more than 100 health tech industry experts
Experiential Learning
Immerse yourself in our proven, need-driven process for health technology innovation – as a fellow, you will learn by doing
Unparalleled Network
Get connected in Silicon Valley, the world’s most advanced health technology ecosystem
Global Connections
Gain a global perspective by interacting with our international trainees and affiliates
Stanford Advantage
Tap into the vast resources of Stanford University and our network of pioneering physicians and engineers
End-to-End View
Go from the discovery of an unmet need to a viable new technology in just 10 months
Exceptional Environment
Enjoy yourself – with a monthly stipend and health benefits, you can take advantage of everything the California Bay Area has to offer
Career Options
Prepare yourself for multiple career paths – our alums launch start-ups, drive change inside corporations, teach innovation at universities, and advance patient care as physicians
Diverse Solutions
Our goal is to positively impact patient care using the best possible solution – from devices and diagnostics to digital health and biotech
Interested?
Stay in touch so we can keep you informed about the fellowship, as well as other activities at Stanford Biodesign. Access more information, including how you can hear directly from Innovation Fellowship faculty and alumni, on the program details page. Learn more about the biodesign innovation process and how we teach it on our curriculum page. And get your specific questions answered by checking out our FAQs.