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 about last year’s team from Gustavus Adolphus College, please see:

or listen to their podcast at:

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

2023-2024 Innovation Scholars Program team from Gustavus Adolphus College: Nana Akua Boakye Agyemang ’25 (Financial Economics major, French minor); Cecilia Gerlach ’25 (Mathematics major, Computer Science minor); Ally Regenold ’24 (Business Management and Psychological Science double major); and Tyler Teichmiller ’24 (Mathematics and Statistics double major, Computer Science minor). Lynnea Myers ’05 served as the students’ campus mentor, and the team’s leader was MS Business Analytics student Xavier Conzet 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 2024 and spring semester 2025 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 shall not be 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 2024 and spring 2025 semesters or a 2 credit independent study course (NDL-291 or NDL-391) for the spring 2025 semester.

 

Internship Schedule

• September 25- Student applications and interview due
• October 1- Notification of selection to team members
• Mid-October- First meetings with team held
• October 29 or 30 – Mandatory orientation meeting at the designated area
  (Optum in Eden Prairie or 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
• February 15- Presentation slides due
• February 25 or 28 – Final presentation at Coloplast Corp in Minneapolis or
  the Mayo Clinic in Rochester (based on assigned project)

 

Financial Support

Gustavus ISP Interns will receive a $1,500 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) and complete a Big Interview recording to apply.

1. Resume (for help with creating résumé click here), including anticipated graduation date and a name and email for ONE Gustavus faculty or staff reference. Please ensure this faculty member is aware that Dr. Lynnea Myers will be reaching out to them requesting a brief reference on you as a candidate.

2. 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

3. Unofficial Transcript

4. Interview through Big Interview Recording

 

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