Research Impact Innovation Fellow

Position Title

Sharma Foundation Experiential Program — Research, Innovation & Community Impact Fellow

Organization

Sharma Foundation 

A philanthropic institution dedicated to advancing human potential, expanding educational access, and strengthening community progress across Michigan.

About the Program

The Sharma Foundation Experiential Program offers students the opportunity to contribute to early‑stage research, community development initiatives, and innovation‑focused projects shaping Michigan’s future. Participants will work directly with Foundation leadership to support emerging programs, conduct research, and help design initiatives that advance education, biomedical innovation, and community well‑being.

This is a project‑based, flexible, hybrid experiential learning opportunity designed to give students real institutional experience.

Key Responsibilities

Students may support one or more of the Foundation’s early initiatives, including:

• Research Support — assisting with data collection, literature reviews, and analysis for statewide education or biomedical innovation reports.
• Program Development — helping design community engagement programs, youth innovation initiatives, or educational access projects.
• Partnership Mapping — identifying potential collaborators across universities, nonprofits, and research institutions.
• Communications & Outreach — drafting briefs, summaries, and public‑facing materials for Foundation initiatives.
• Innovation Research — exploring emerging trends in biomedical science, technology, and community development.

Students will receive structured guidance, weekly check‑ins, and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to real institutional work.

Qualifications

We welcome students from all majors, especially those interested in:

• Public policy
• Biomedical sciences
• Business / management
• Community development
• Education
• Data analysis
• Communications
• Nonprofit leadership

Ideal candidates demonstrate curiosity, initiative, and a commitment to community impact.

Time Commitment

• 5–10 hours per week
• Flexible scheduling
• Remote

Compensation 

This is an unpaid experiential learning opportunity designed to provide students with meaningful, project‑based experience in research, innovation, and community development. While the Sharma Foundation does not award academic credit, this program is structured to be eligible for internship or practicum credit through your university.

Students who wish to earn credit may coordinate with their academic advisor or internship office. The Foundation will provide all required components for credit approval, including:

• Online Supervision (if required by school)
• Defined learning objectives
• Project‑based work
• Documented hours
• Midterm and final evaluations

There is no cost to the student or the Foundation for credit approval; academic credit is issued solely by the student’s university.

Location

Grand Rapids, Michigan (Remote)

How to Apply

Submit your application through Handshake with:

• Resume
• Short statement (3–5 sentences) on why you’re interested in the Foundation’s mission

About the Sharma Foundation

The Sharma Foundation is a philanthropic institution focused on expanding opportunity, supporting innovation, and strengthening communities across Michigan and beyond. Its early initiatives center on education access, biomedical research support, and community development.