Student innovator fund Frequently asked questions

What is the timeline for this project?

1. Application deadline: Friday, March 20th, 2026
2. First team meeting: The week of March 23rd
3. Idea pitch: The week of March 30th
4. Spring project work (April-May)
5. Summer project work (May-Aug)
6. Final project completion deadline: Monday, August 31st, 2026

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What project would I be working on?

We would like to give the team a chance to come up with the project that they all want to work on. So the team will pitch their project to the project sponsor, the Libraries, who holds the final decision. We will mainly be concerned with scope, relevance to addressing a societal challenge, and achievability. The project must be new and independent of any already existing project on campus.

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Who supervises the project?

Two project co-leaders will keep the project on track and be accountable to the project sponsor, Charlie Heinz (Libraries).

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How much is the stipend?

We will have up to $2,000.00 to distribute as fellowship awards to the team members, with a higher amount awarded to two project co-leaders. The exact amounts will be determined when we know the size of the team (with a maximum of 10 members).

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Are there additional funds for buying equipment, etc?

Yes!

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How much time would I need to commit to this project per week?

Weekly team meetings should be expected, with a break around Finals Week. Project team co-leaders should expect a higher time commitment than others and be available during the Summer to ensure that the project is completed.

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Who is eligible?

Currently registered University of Minnesota Twin Cities undergraduate and graduate students.

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Do I need prior experience with virtual reality technology?

All who are interested are encouraged to apply. The team will ultimately need to have a good balance of skills and experience, which could include project management, Unity experience, research skills, etc.

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Is this a commercial project?

Not initially. The project is for the educational benefit of the team to see what we can create. After the completion of the project, the final product should be made available in open access and open source. Once it is made available, then members of the team may use a derivative of the final product for technology commercialization or startup ventures.

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Who should I contact with questions?

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