Innovation & Entrepreneurship
  • Do you have great ideas and want to share your vision with your peers?
  • Are you interested in learning and developing a student - led experience?
  • Would you like to build or strengthen your project management skills?

The Community Leadership Experience is designed to provide a space for WPI students to create and lead their own educational experience while teaching their peers about captivating topics. I&E student leaders should be able to connect, engage, and inspire their peers through programs designed to add value and build a stronger I&E community. With the support of the I&E team, students will have the opportunity to create and lead their program using best practice approaches in program management and design thinking.

The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center will provide funding to support individuals or student groups who are selected to participate in delivering impactful educational experiences to the I&E community. These opportunities are related to all WPI field of studies such as computer science, engineering, cybersecurity, humanities, global I&E, robotics, social science and policies.

Applicants will have the opportunity to propose any educational program that will provide advance learning among the I&E community. We will accept 2 – 5 applicants per semester (Fall & Spring) and provide dedicated funds of up to $1,000 per program for materials and supplies. Proposed program(s) should be tailored to be inclusive of all WPI students and areas of study, with a focus on interdisciplinary engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who is eligible?
    • Undergraduate and Graduate students
    • Student clubs and student organizations
    • Students interested in designing and leading their own educational experience
    • Students who desire to learn or strengthen their project management skills
  • What is the application process?
    • Submit application and program budget
    • Prepare a 3 minute pitch proposal to present to members of the I&E team
    • I&E Team will deliberate on pitch and budget
    • Decisions will be announced
  • What are the application requirements and how can I apply?
    • Application will be accepted in the Fall & Spring of each academic year.  
    • Student clubs/ organizations allowed to submit two applications per academic year
    • Proposed educational experiences must be open to all WPI students and areas of study
    • Teams of 3 - 5 members should be formed before submitting an application 
    • Fully complete and submit the application
    • Attend the Community Leadership Experience kick - off event 
    • Prepare a 3 minute pitch proposal to present to members of the I&E team 
    • Be willing to document your experience in the program through videos and pictures
    • After the program, provide a 2 - 5 minute video reflecting on your experience, the value of your project, its impact and how the I&E team helped you achieve your goal

     

    Please follow the link to submit an application for the Community Leadership Experience

  • How much funding can I apply for?
    • Selected participants can request funding up to $1,000 per program each academic year
  • Will I receive the amount of funding that I requested?
    • You can request funding up to $1,000 but the I&E team will review your program proposal and budget to determine the appropriate amount for your program
  • What can my funding be used towards?

    Note: Funding examples include, but not limited to:

    • Program supplies
    • Prize money for attendees
    • Event refreshments
    • Speaker honorarium
  • What types of events and programs are funded?

    Note: Events and programs examples include, but not limited to:

    • Innovation Challenges/ Hackathons
    • Workshops
    • Speaker Series
    • Fireside Chat
    • Company Visits
    • Panel Discussion
    • Pitch competitions
    • Networking Event
  • How will I receive my funding?
    • You will be reimbursed for all items spent towards your program.
  • Can the program be open to the surrounding colleges and universities in Worcester?
    • Yes, if the programs are led by current WPI students.
  • If my program is reoccurring, will my program be funded more than once?
    • Programs are funded only once per semester. If you would like for your program to run in the next semester, you will have to reapply.   
  • Where can I host my program?
    • All programs must be hosted on the WPI Campus or WPI Seaport location. 

Contact us

Please contact program manager Jasmine Jones at jjones3@wpi.edu for further inquiries.