Frequently Asked Questions

Who teaches the Innovation Fellowship?

The Innovation Fellowship is led by a team of experienced innovators and entrepreneurs: Director Dan Azagury;  Director of Team Dynamics and Learning, Doug Rait; and Associate/Assistant Directors Emma Essock-Burns, Janene Fuerch, and Victor McCray. This core group works in collaboration with other members of the Stanford Biodesign faculty in areas such as device, digital, and biopharma engineering, health-economic and commercial value, implementation planning, and global opportunities.  Each team is also matched with CEO mentors from the health technology industry – Hanson Gifford, Beverly Huss, Deborah Kilpatrick, and Maria Sainz – to help guide their progress. Additionally, dozens of industry leaders in intellectual property, R&D, regulation, clinical trials, reimbursement/payment, business models, marketing, and sales contribute their expertise when it’s most relevant to the fellows’ projects. Together, this community delivers an unprecedented training experience and seeds a lifelong network in the health technology field.

What career paths do the Innovation Fellows pursue after the program?

Fellowship alumni pursue a wide variety of careers that include launching health technology start-ups, driving innovation inside major health technology and biopharma companies, participating in healthcare investing and other industry consultant role, and teaching innovation inside universities. You can read more about the career paths, leadership trajectories, and productivity of our fellows in this journal article. To date, many interesting technologies have been invented by our fellows and nearly 60 health-related companies have been launched out of the program.

Does the fellowship focus exclusively on medical devices?

The Innovation Fellowship teaches a proven, repeatable process for health technology innovation that is broadly applicable and intentionally solution agnostic so that the best possible solution is chosen to address the unmet need. Our fellows have applied the Biodesign approach to create new technologies in the medical devices, diagnostic, digital health, technology-enabled services, biopharma, and drug delivery domains.

How does the fellowship differ from a traditional master's (or other advanced degree) program?

The Innovation Fellowship differs from traditional advanced degree programs in many ways. First, the training you receive is highly experiential -- you'll learn primarily by working on your project and interacting with expert mentors rather than sitting in a classroom. Second, the fellowship provides you with an end-to-end view of the early stages of the innovation process. From clinical immersion and needs finding through invention and implementation planning, you'll gain hands-on practice navigating critical risks and opportunities across a broad range of activities. Third, the fellowship is interdisciplinary and team based. You'll learn a tremendous amount from interacting with your peers and honing your teamwork skills. Finally, the skills and connections you build are practical, targeted, and immediately applicable to a career in health technology innovation. At the end of the program, the fellows earn a certificate in Biodesign rather than a traditional diploma or degree.

How many Innovation Fellowships are available?

Twelve. Each year, we fill three multidisciplinary teams that include individuals with clinical, engineering, computer science, scientific, design, and/or business backgrounds. Each team includes four fellows.

How many applications do you typically receive, and how many people do you interview?

We typically receive more than 200 applications each year and interview approximately 30 finalists for the 12 Innovation Fellowships that are available.

When is the application deadline?

Applications for the 2027-28 Innovation Fellowship open on June 8, 2026. The deadline to submit a complete application is August 27, 2026.

Important: During the application cycle, it is your responsibility to ensure that all application materials are received by the deadline, including all three recommendations (see below for more information). Incomplete applications will not be considered.

What characteristics and competencies do you value in fellowship applicants?

We encourage eligible US and non-US citizens interested in the program to apply (see below for additional information about eligibility). We are interested in applicants from diverse backgrounds, including the engineering, science, computer science, product design, business, law, medical or nursing fields. Advanced degrees are encouraged, but not required. Many candidates also have relevant work experience in the health technology industry or in related research positions.

Detailed guidance about the specific combination of education and professional experience we seek in our applicants is provided on the Assess Your Fit page to help you determine if you meet the minimum requirements for applying to the Innovation Fellowship. Profiles of former fellows are also included to assist you in evaluating your match with the program.

Beyond educational and professional experience, we look for individuals with strong competencies in the following areas:

• Leadership – We look for more than just the positions you’ve held; we value how you inspire and influence others toward shared objectives, as well as the initiative you take to realize your own ambitions.

• Problem Solving – This encompasses your talent for navigating complex challenges. We assess your analytical abilities, adaptability, perseverance, and resilience.

• Creativity – We value your imagination and ability to recognize, cultivate, and present new ideas, alternatives, and possibilities.

• Teamwork – We seek insight into your collaborative skills and how well you modify your approach to foster mutually rewarding interactions with others.

• Communication – Your ability to clearly share and exchange information is also a critical factor in our evaluation.

Importantly, we are also seeking candidates who have the ambition to become leaders in health technology innovation. We further value those who bring a range of different perspectives and lived experiences to the fellowship.  Learn more about our commitment to diversity.

What if I don’t have a background in health?

While we value experience in health technology and healthcare innovation, we accept applications from any individuals who have demonstrated exceptional creativity and/or innovation in their professional or academic careers and are committed to pivoting their talents to improving health outcomes and equity for patients.  If you are making a transition into health from another field, please be sure to clearly explain in your application materials what has motivated you to make this change, how your prior experience will be valuable after this pivot, what your future plans are, and how you believe the Innovation Fellowship will help.

Is it possible to have too much experience for the Innovation Fellowship??

The Innovation Fellowship is particularly well suited for emerging leaders with an established professional track record who are ready to take the next step in their career. If you have more than 10 years of professional healthcare related experience in a senior leadership role (e.g., senior management/executive position in industry, academia  or private practice), you may not realize the same benefits from the Innovation Fellowship as the emerging leaders we’re seeking, and you may wish to explore other programs or opportunities designed for more accomplished professionals. 

Can I apply if I am not a US citizen and/or do not have a current visa?

Yes. However, any applicant accepted into the program must be eligible to work in the U.S. under an academic visa. Stanford University will not sponsor an H1-B visa for this role/position. All Stanford Biodesign Innovation Fellows will be formally appointed through the Graduate School of Admissions as non-matriculated graduate students.

Are applications accepted from people living anywhere in the world?

Unfortunately, at this time, we are unable to accept applications from individuals affected by the June 4, 2025 proclamation from the White House and the Department of State expansion of that travel ban as of January 2026 since these orders suspend entry into the United States and the issuance of visas to nationals from these countries.

What are the English proficiency requirements?

To be eligible for the Stanford Biodesign Innovation Fellowship, you must demonstrate sufficient proficiency to read English with ease, understand rapid idiomatic English as used in lectures and group discussions, and express thoughts quickly and clearly in spoken and written English.

Applicants who will need a visa in order to participate in the fellowship must submit the results from a qualifying English language proficiency test. In a small number of cases, individuals may qualify for a waiver (e.g., if their first language is English or they have lived in an English-speaking country for many years). To inquire about a waiver, contact fellowships manager Meghan Stawitcke.

For all other applicants, English proficiency test scores are not required if you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• You are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

• Your first language is English.

• You earned a US bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, or international equivalent, from a university where all instruction was conducted in English.

  See the English Proficiency page for more information about acceptable tests and qualifying scores.

Can I apply a year early?

No. We no longer accept early decision applications for a future year or allow deferrals. If you apply in the current application cycle, you will only be eligible to join the 2027-28 Innovation Fellowship.

How many recommendation must I have, when are they due, and what should they cover?

Three recommendations are required. We must have all three recommendations submitted by the application deadline or your application will not be considered.

Recommenders will be asked to specifically assess your problem-solving and teamwork skills. They will not need to write a traditional letter. Instead, they will enter their responses directly into short-answer fields of an online form. Please refer to the Application Instructions page for additional information.

If I am reapplying, do I need to resubmit my application materials and recommendations?

Yes, your application materials and recommendations must be resubmitted. We encourage you to provide us with the most recent information available, highlighting new experiences and accomplishments since you last applied.

What is the application fee?

Stanford Biodesign does not charge a fee to apply to the Stanford Biodesign Innovation Fellowship.

Can I use AI to assist me in completing my application?

For the purposes of this application, ethical uses of generative AI include using it to perform basic spelling and grammar reviews of your written materials in the same way you might ask a friend to proofread for you. It does NOT include using it to write, edit, or enhance your essays or other written answers in any way. At the end of the application, we will ask you to certify that you have not used AI or that you have only used it according to this stated policy.

Can I visit Stanford Biodesign to learn more?

Unfortunately, due to the number of requests we receive and the importance of maintaining a "level playing field" for all candidates -- including those who reside in other states and countries -- we are not able to accommodate in-person visits. Thank you for your understanding.

When are the interviews?

Applicants selected to interview for the 2027-28 fellowship will interview virtually on Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13, 2026, with a virtual evening welcome event on Wednesday, November 11. Invitations to interview will be emailed by mid October 2026, with a request to confirm participation within 48 hours. For planning purposes, candidates should block the evening of November 11 from approximately 5-7:00 pm, most of the day of November 12, and the morning of November 13 from roughly 8-10:30am (all times in the Pacific time zone).

When will the finalists be notified about acceptance decisions?

We will notify all finalists of our acceptance decisions before the end of the 2026 calendar year.

When does the fellowship start?

The Innovation Fellowship begins on August 2, 2027.

Is the fellowship a full-time commitment?

Yes. The Stanford Biodesign Innovation Fellowship is a relatively intense full-time experience. Fellows should expect to work in excess of 40 hours per week. Moonlighting is not allowed.

Can I take other Stanford courses while completing the Innovation Fellowship?

No. The fellows are typically too busy during the year to complete other Stanford courses. Exceptions are possible in rare cases where a compelling need exists.

Do the Innovation Fellows receive compensation?

All 2027-28 Innovation Fellows will be compensated equally at a minimum of $6,150 per month, plus a one-time $1,400 program supplement. This amount is intended to help cover basic room and board during the fellowship period.

Do the Innovation Fellows receive benefits?

Stanford University health insurance coverage is available for all Innovation Fellows and is paid for by Stanford Biodesign. Benefits are available for spouses and dependents as well, but are not covered by Biodesign. Plans include medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as mental health and maternity/paternity benefits.

I already have an idea for a health technology I've been working on. Can I continue to develop it during the fellowship?

No. The goal of the fellowship is to learn the biodesign process of innovation from start to finish. Accordingly, we ask that you work on needs and technologies that you and your team identify and invent together as part of the fellowship process.

Can I choose which medical subspecialty I focus on during the fellowship?

No. Each year, Stanford Biodesign selects a different clinical subspecialty as the focus for the fellowship. We believe that by working in an area where you're not necessarily an expert, you are more likely to question existing paradigms and recognize interesting opportunities. To jump-start the process, you will begin your training with several weeks of clinical and community-based immersion in the chosen subspecialty to observe first-hand how care is delivered in that space.

How are the teams formed?

Once selected, the fellows are assigned to teams by the fellowship directors. Their goals are to ensure a strong mix of medicine, engineering/scientific, and business acumen, as well as an effective mix of perspectives, personalities, and other dimensions of diversity. Team assignments are announced during the first week of the fellowship.

Who owns the intellectual property for inventions created as part of the Innovation Fellowship?

Stanford University owns the intellectual property, but we work closely with the Office of Technology Licensing to help translate inventions coming out of the Innovation Fellowship, as appropriate.

Am I expected to start a company out of the Innovation Fellowship?

Although some fellows do start companies out of the fellowship, this is just one of many different health technology career paths that our fellows take. Other alternatives include catalyzing innovation inside major health technology corporations, teaching and/or leading translational research projects for world-class universities, driving innovation initiatives within academic or private medical centers, or becoming specialists in design, investing, or other aspects of the health technology innovation ecosystem.

How can I learn more about the Innovation Fellowship?

Stanford Biodesign hosts 2-4 webinars each recruiting cycle to provide prospective applicants with more information, as well as the opportunity to ask questions. The recordings of previous webinars are up on our website; please access them here.

What other ways are there to get involved with Stanford Biodesign?

The best way to get or stay connected with Stanford Biodesign is to attend our events, where you can engage with our faculty, fellows, alumni, and other members of our growing community. To learn more about the biodesign innovation process that we teach in the fellowship, check out our textbook and video library.