Innovation Scholars Program Team Member 2025-2026
The Innovation Scholars Program (ISP) offers a unique opportunity for multi-disciplinary teams of liberal arts students to explore the interface of science, healthcare and medicine, economics, business, and entrepreneurship. Students work as a team to analyze real innovations in real time. Led by graduate students and faculty mentors, teams of undergraduates from Minnesota private colleges and universities research and recommend next steps for inventions and new products in development. ISP teams may work on projects originating from Mayo Clinic, from early-stage to mid-sized medical companies affiliated with Medical Alley, or NASA. For additional information, please see https://www.mnprivatecolleges.org/giving/program-scholarships/innovation-scholars or https://career.gustavus.edu/experiences/innovation-scholars-program/
Eligibility Requirements:
- 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 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 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- Interviews 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 24 or 26 – Final presentation at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Financial Support
Gustavus ISP Interns will receive a $2000 stipend upon completion of the internship, and will be reimbursed for the cost of required travel to designated sites.
To Apply:
Submit the following documents through Handshake:
- Resume (for help with creating résumé click here), including anticipated graduation date.
- 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 letters to lmyers@gustavus.edu by September 22, 2025.
- Unofficial Transcript
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Cover letter (for help creating a cover letter click here) addressed to: Dr. Lynnea Myers, Faculty Mentor
Innovation Scholars
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).