Application

Selection process

All complete applications will be evaluated by the Downselect Committee, which is composed of Accelerator researchers and staff. The following are the key parameters for candidate evaluation.  

• The quality of the proposed solution and its potential to have an impact at scale.
• The quality and promise of the candidate (appropriateness for the fellowship and strength of track record).
• The strength of evaluations from experts in the field (quality of the nominating and reference letters).

Semi-finalists will then be invited to participate in zoom interviews with the Fellowship Advisory Board. 

Application components

All application materials, including recommendations, must be in English. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all materials, including letters of reference, are submitted by the deadline stated above. Please do not submit supplemental materials. Only complete applications will be considered. All application components will be kept confidential and will only be used for candidate evaluations. 

A complete fellowship application will contain:

• Project proposal short answer questions.  Answer a series of 9 short answer questions to provide reviewers with a complete picture of your proposed project. See questions in section below.
• Project milestone map and risk assessment.  Provide a roadmap and analysis of the project deliverables and metrics. Use this template (you must download to edit). 
• Project pitch video (1 minute limit).  The video should be you speaking on camera, describing your solution at a high level. Slides or animation are not allowed. Please film against a neutral background. Smartphone-quality video and sound are expected. 
• Curriculum vitae (3 page limit).  This should include education trajectory, research, work experience, publications, presentations, teaching, and other professional experiences, along with your full legal name, contact information, and (expected) date of Ph.D., which must be received by the program start date.
• References.  You will supply the names and contact information of your references, and they will receive a notification to upload their letters through the application portal. Your (up to 3) letters should come from:
  • One nomination letter from an eligible Stanford mentor. While this is not required, it is highly recommended that you get a nomination letter from an eligible Stanford mentor. If you are unable to do so, you can identify potential Stanford mentors within the application. 
  • One recommendation letter from your PhD thesis advisor. This required recommendation includes a letter and responses to questions about you as a candidate for this program.
  • One recommendation letter from the potential collaborator, end user, or investor in your solution. This required recommendation includes only responses to questions about you as a candidate for this program and your solution. 

Application questions

Part 1: Proposed solution and its potential to have an impact at scale 

1. Please describe your solution. How does this solution contribute to the flagship destination or crosscutting platform's goals? When can your solution impact the market at scale? (500 word limit)
2. Please describe how your solution is novel versus the current state of the art with concrete references to demonstrate (papers, patents, policy, other companies). (200 word limit)
3. Please describe the readiness and feasibility of scaling this solution. (200 word limit)
   • For technology projects: What is your technology readiness level? Do you have publications, a prototype, funding, partners, techno-economic analysis, IP, etc.?
   • For policy projects: What is your policy readiness level? Do you have publications, keynote speeches, funding, community, or global engagement?
4. Please name three potential Stanford faculty members you would like to be mentored by and why. Indicate whether you have already contacted any of these individuals and if they will be submitting a nominating letter for you. (200 word limit)
5. Please name three external individuals/entities you would like to partner with and why. Identify three potential customers of your policy or technology and define the value proposition to them. (200 word limit)
6. Why would Stanford be the right place to develop this solution? Please indicate any specific resources, individuals, or platforms at Stanford that you plan to leverage. (100 word limit)

Part 2: Experience and expertise of the candidate 

7. Please describe your leadership experience and expertise within your discipline. (300 word limit)
8. Please describe your experience with entrepreneurship or launching ideas to solutions, including any educational programs you have completed. (200 word limit)
9. What is your vision for how this solution is launched into the real world? (100 word limit)