Applications will re-open in Spring 2025.
Johns Hopkins student entrepreneurs about to graduate are encouraged to apply to the prestigious President’s Venture Fellowship. Supported by the Office of the President and generous philanthropic alumni contribution, this highly competitive opportunity supports new alumni as they pursue a business venture in Baltimore full-time after graduation. Winning teams will be equipped with non-dilutive funding for startup expenses, with the possibility of additional stipend coverage for the project lead.
- Each year, up to two $100,000 awards will be made to student-led, incorporated ventures and $40,000 one-year salary stipend to the lead of each venture, along with a partial scholarship to Carey Business School
- Winning teams will be granted co-working space at Pava Center and may be eligible for bench space in FastForward labs
- Fellows will receive direct mentorship from university leadership and alumni
- Fellows will participate in campus programs in order to inspire emerging student entrepreneurs
The application is open to any full-time John Hopkins University student in good standing, set to graduate this year, and committed to working full-time in Baltimore on a startup venture where they have a majority ownership stake. Interested teams must demonstrate significant traction with their venture to date, detail their business plans for future commercial success, and commit to headquartering and growing in Baltimore.
The President’s Venture Fellowship is administered by the Pava Marie LaPere Center for Entrepreneurship , in coordination with JHTV staff, alumni and ecosystem advisors, and the Office of the President.
Application
- Student entrepreneurs must complete the online application.
- Two brief faculty recommendations and two recommendations from outside sources are required. References must submit their letters of recommendation as PDFs.
Timeline
- Applications now open: Student applications due March 31 and recommendations due April 7.
- Finalists will be invited to interview live in mid April.
- Award engagement begins in the summer.
Eligibility
- Full-time students who graduated either in the fall or who will graduate this spring
- There is no minimum GPA requirement, but students must be in good academic standing
- All academic levels are welcome to apply, from undergraduate to Ph.D.
- Abell Fellows and recipients of other fellowships are invited to apply, if they are considered full-time students
- Students entertaining other academic opportunities and/or job offers are welcome to apply, but the winners of the President’s Innovation Fellowship will need to commit to full-time work on their venture for the coming year.
Student Status
Applicants will be given the opportunity to continue as students for another year, which would include continuation of student health insurance, loan deferral, and potential continued eligibility for international student visas.
Faculty Involvement & IP Considerations
- Students must have a majority stake in the venture. Faculty can have a minority stake, but if so, the venture must be cleared by JHTV for startup status.
- As a default, students will retain all their IP created before, during, or after the award–if they continue to refrain from using university resources. If they utilize university resources outside of the award funding at any point, they will need to file a ROI with JHTV.
Financial Considerations
- Expenditure expectations: Teams will need to propose a budget at the beginning of the year, update throughout the year as objectives change (in order to continue to receive funding) and prepare quarterly reports. Note: Failure to abide by these expectations (including Baltimore residency) may result in funding pause.
- Tranches: The $100,000 prize will be dispersed in multiple installments over the course of the year.
- Taxes: The monies awarded are considered taxable income, and ventures should plan accordingly (and are encouraged to utilize professional services, including taking advantage of JHTV’s pro-bono accounting consultancy hours, as relevant).
Other Expectations & Beneifts
- Teams will use the Pava Center co-working space on a regular basis
- Engagement with summer incubator (attending two or more events, between May 22 – July 3)
- The team lead will engage with other Pava Center student teams on a regular basis
- As relevant, teams will be given lab bench space at FastForward facilities (either R. House or 1812)
- The team will engage in monthly meetings with FastForward U staff and may be featured at additional high-caliber events with the Office of the President and other stakeholders
- Teams will continue to be eligible for engagement with Pava Center mentors, pro-bono services, etc.
