Purpose

The Innovation Scholars Program is an innovative experiential learning opportunity for students at participating private colleges and universities in Minnesota. Students are provided with first-hand research and marketability analysis experience with new real world innovation projects from leading inventors and researchers at Mayo Clinic, Medical Alley, and NASA. Students work in teams of four, with at least one science major and one business major on each team, to complete research projects that ultimately assist inventors in the assessment of ideas for new products submitted by researchers.

The Program is a collaborative venture of the Medtronic Foundation, The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation, the Offutt Family Foundation, and Mayo Clinic, and support from participating Medical Alley companies, Minnesota private colleges and universities, and the Minnesota Private College Council and Fund.

For more information about a previous team from Gustavus Adolphus College, please listen to their podcast at:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/heather-banks/episodes/Innovation-Scholars-Program-e2ib4nl

2024-2025 Innovation Scholars Program team from Gustavus Adolphus College: Matthew Carlson ’25 (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; minor – Spanish), Alison Gilles ’25 (Biology; minors – Computer Science and Statistics), Julia Mateski ’25 (Biology; minors – Computer Science and Statistics), and Rachel Trebesch ’25 (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; minor – Statistics). Lynnea Myers ’05 served as the students’ campus mentor, and the team’s leader was MBA student Eric Reddy from the University of St. Thomas.

Eligibility Requirements

Interested juniors and seniors may apply for the Gustavus Adolphus College team of the Innovation Scholars Program.

• Junior or senior academic status (enrollment in fall 2025 and spring semester 2026 preferred, preference also given to junior and senior level students for participation in the program)
• Cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher
• Academic Major is open to all majors, selection will be based on student strengths in relation to the designated project, with students typically from the following majors: Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Math, Computer Science, Statistics, Health and Exercise Science, Public Health, Psychological Science, Nursing, Business, Economics, or Management.
• Acceptance of the terms of the Gustavus Honor Code
• Students who are on any type of Gustavus Adolphus College probation are not eligible for a Innovation Scholars Program Internship
• Students who have previously participated in the program are not eligible to re-apply in subsequent years.

To participate in the experience, students must take a 1-credit, repeatable half-semester independent study course (NDL-291 or NDL-391) for the fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters or a 2 credit independent study course (NDL-291 or NDL-391) for the spring 2026 semester.

Internship Schedule

• September 22: Student applications due (Interview to be scheduled after application submitted)
• September 23-September 30: Interview with faculty mentor
• October 1: Notification of selection to team members
• Mid-October: First meetings with team held
• October 31: Mandatory orientation meeting at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester
• October: Start assigned project
• November-January: Continued work on the project. Meetings in January on
  effective presentations
• January 31: Team report finalized
• Start of February: Conclude work on report and presentation
• February 26: Final presentation at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester

Financial Support

Gustavus ISP Interns will receive a $2,000 stipend upon completion of the internship, and will be reimbursed for the cost of required travel to designated sites.

Application Information

Applicants should upload the documents listed below through Handshake (Apply Here)

1. Resume (for help with creating résumé click here), including anticipated graduation date.

2. Letter of Recommendation: Please include a letter of recommendation that you will submit from a Gustavus faculty or staff member, with a particular focus on your ability to work with a team, dealing with ambiguity, being accountable, and meeting deadlines. If the faculty or staff member is more comfortable emailing the letter directly to the selection committee, please send letter to lmyers@gustavus.edu by September 22, 2025.

3. Unofficial Transcript

4. Cover letter (for help creating a cover letter click here) addressed to:

Dr. Lynnea Myers, Program Coordinator
Innovation Scholars
c/o Career Development
Gustavus Adolphus College
800 West College Avenue
St. Peter, MN 56082

Applicants must address the following in their cover letters:

• • Why you are interested in this opportunity
  • What you hope to gain through this experience
  • Previous experience you have in problem solving in a team setting
  • What makes you a strong candidate

After Handshake submission, complete an Interview: After the application is submitted, you will be invited to complete a live, virtual interview with the faculty mentor (a list of dates/times for interviews will be sent to you via email after your application is submitted/after the application close date).

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact:
Career Development | 507-933-7575 | career@gustavus.edu