Zia and Priti Fund for Innovation and Impact
Zia and Priti Fund for Innovation and Impact
Students in this program identify and unpack a complex problem they are passionate about and propose an innovative solution that can be tested over the summer.
This program specifically funds international students wanting to work on their idea in a country outside of the United States preferably in emerging markets in Latin America, Africa & Middle East and South/South-East Asia.
Select students demonstrating a strong grasp of the problem and a readiness to roll out their project will receive a $6,600.00 living stipend and $500 in project funding to support their work. Students are expected to dedicate themselves full-time (35-40 hours a week) to their project and actively participate in weekly programming alongside a cohort of fellow changemakers over the course of the 10-week Summer program.
10-Week Program Tuesday, May 26 – Friday, July 31, 2026
Important Dates
| Application Open | Thursday, January 22 |
| Virtual Information Session: E&I, MSIG & OSRC Register: Handshake | Thursday, January 29: noon – 1 p.m. |
| Office Hours + Drop-in Information Sessions in the Idea Lab | Tuesdays, February 3, 10 & 17: noon – 1 p.m. |
| Feeding Innovation: Panel Discussion RSVP | Thursday, February 12: noon – 1 p.m. |
| Application Close | Monday, February 23: 5 p.m. |
| Acceptance Notification | Monday, March 2 |
| If accepted, mandatory ISP Meeting (International Students Only) in LIB250 | Tuesday, April 14: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
| If accepted, mandatory program launch meeting in LIB250 | Thursday, April 16: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
| Zia & Priti Fund Begins | Tuesday, May 26 |
| Summer Social (For students and faculty sponsors on campus) | Tuesday, July 14: 5 – 6:30 p.m. |
Past Participants
Questions?
Email [email protected], Erik Halaas, Program Manager.