Center for Social Innovation

Get your Social Venture off the ground

Whether you come to business school with an idea in mind, become inspired while you're here, or have an “aha” moment once you’re out on the front-lines, the Center offers social innovation fellowships to help you launch a new social venture.

Develop a practical, innovative, and sustainable approach to benefit society, apply for a Social Innovation Fellowship, and receive both financial and oversight support to start a new nonprofit organization.

Who can apply?

• A graduating Stanford MBA or Sloan student in good academic standing
• A GSB alumnus/a who has graduated within 3 years of fellowship application
• A team consisting of at least one of the above plus a graduating Stanford student/alum from another Stanford graduate program

How to Apply?

• Write a letter of intent (optional) by March 15, 2013.
• Submit a complete application form by April 16, 2013 8:00 am PST.

Both documents should be e-mailed to:

Karen Matthys
Center for Social Innovation
Stanford Graduate School of Business

How does the fellowship work?

Fellows receive:

• A stipend up to $80,000 per student or up to $120,000 per team
• Support and oversight from the Center for Social Innovation
• Semi finalist status in the Echoing Green Fellowship competition

Fellows are expected to:

• Work full time on the initiative and decline all other employment during the fellowship year
• Report on their activities as requested by the Center for Social Innovation

For more information please see the Social Innovation Fellowship Overview and FAQ documents

How many fellowships are available?

Twelve-month fellowships are awarded to up to three applicants or teams annually.

Summer research fellowships may be awarded for applicants with promising venture ideas who need further time to develop their business plan.

How are fellows selected?

Fellows are selected in May based on an end-of-the-year application and presentation to a judging panel.

Successful applicants will:

• Have a clear, novel, and well-developed vision for addressing a particular social or environmental challenge
• Commit to building a successful nonprofit organization to deliver their proposed innovation

The selection committee includes:

• GSB Faculty
• Center for Social Innovation senior staff
• Representatives from the venture capital or social innovation field