The C3 Student Innovation Fellowship is a new, year-long experiential learning opportunity designed to empower students to turn ideas into action through interdisciplinary collaboration, mentorship and real-world problem solving. The fellowship provides a structured yet flexible pathway that supports student creativity as they bring a community impact or research project to life.
The C3 Student Fellowship is anchored by consistent guidance and enriched by faculty and industry mentors who provide project-specific expertise. Applications are open to undergraduate and graduate students from any major until April 2, 2026. Interested students will apply through Mountain Lion Connect.
An interdisciplinary, applied learning experience
The C3 Student Fellowship is intentionally interdisciplinary and applied. Fellows move between Canvas-based learning modules, C3 events and speaker series and hands-on project work.
Community is central to the fellowship experience. In addition to workshops and seminars, fellows participate in innovation socials, design jams and peer-to-peer sessions. The program is designed so that innovation becomes a lived, shared experience.
Capstone projects
Throughout the year, fellows will move ideas from concept to implementation through prototyping, testing and iteration. These projects are supported by structured mentorship and regular check-ins and are showcased publicly at the C3 Innovation Showcase, highlighting student impact and innovation in action, in areas such as:
- Arts: Organize a campus mural initiative promoting creativity and community.
- Humanities: Create a digital publication or podcast to teach the public about a topic.
- Applied Sciences: Launch an app to support studying for a certification in your field.
- Research: Design and conduct a pilot or variant version of your thesis or dissertation idea.
Applicants do not need to have a set project as the program will help them develop their ideas. Instead, students should apply with a clear area of interest and goals for community impact. If a student does have a project plan, they are welcome and encouraged to apply with that idea.
Application process
This year, eight fellows will be selected through a self-nomination process that includes an application, statement of interest, résumé and recommendation (name and contact of a professional mentor, advisor, leader, coach, professor, etc.). Fellows will be chosen for their curiosity, creativity and interdisciplinary community potential by a review committee in April.
Fellows receive financial stipends, a C3 Certificate of Completion and a digital badge, recognizing both their learning and their applied innovation experience.
Eligibility: all majors and disciplines encouraged to apply.
- –Degree-seeking student status with at least 1 onsite credit per semester during the cohort year. The cohort is not a remote program this year.
- –Earned 30 credits at the time of application OR accepted to a graduate program to start during the cohort year.
- –All degree types and majors are eligible.
About the C3 Student Innovation Fellowship
The C3 Student Innovation Fellowship prepares students to become adaptable, collaborative and impact-driven innovators. By blending mentorship, experiential learning and community-building, the program equips students with the skills and confidence to address real-world challenges—on campus and beyond. Visit https://c3innovation.uccs.edu/ and follow us on socials at c3innovation.uccs to learn more.
The program is supported by seed funding from donors and is designed for long-term sustainability through continued fundraising and grants.