SUMMER FELLOWSHIP
The McCombs Entrepreneur Summer Fellowship (MESF), funded by the generous support of alumni donors and the Harkey Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, enables innovative students to continue building their startups during the summer.
Application Information
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants are full-time undergraduate students from any college or major who have completed four semesters of coursework and are actively engaged in startup development, spanning from ideation to scaling.Application Deadlines
The application for the 2024 MESF Application is now closed.
Dispoze has used our fellowship funds to successfully build and operate our first retail prototypes! We’ve also been able to officially incorporate with the SOS and meet compliance standards thanks to MESF. We’re so appreciative of this program.
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Program Details
Don't let your startup's progress stall over the summer.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
- Current, full-time UT undergraduate students who have completed four semesters of undergraduate coursework. Non-business undergrads are eligible to apply.
- Applicants working on any stage of startup development from ideation to scaling are eligible to apply.
- Competitive applicants should have a well-thought-out business plan, persuasive pitch, attainable milestones and metrics, and an infectious passion for their vision.
Note: The fellowship is a grant to the founder, not the company, so no equity will be sought or conveyed by the McCombs School of Business or the Harkey Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies.
[KEY STEPS]
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- 5-minute video pitch (uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo)
- Solicited faculty advisor for the summer (no time commitment required)
- Complete the online application: McCombs Entrepreneur Summer Fellowship Application
SELECTION CRITERIA
- Stage of development
- Minimum Viable Product or Prototype
- Milestones for the summer
- Allocation of funds
- Impact of fellowship on venture’s development
[WHAT’S UP-FOR-GRABS]
UNDERGRADUATES (up to 5 grants)
Range: $2,500 – $5,000 Fellowship Stipend
[PLEASE READ]
Financial awards will be paid to an individual student for the Summer 2024 semester, not the startup listed in the application. An increase in resources, including a financial award as a result of performance in the McCombs Summer Entrepreneurship Fellowships, may result in a reduction or cancellation of financial aid funds or a requirement to repay awards already released to students. Financial awards may also be used to pay outstanding payments owed to the university. If you receive financial aid or owe money to the university, you should reach out to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships or Students Accounts Receivable to determine how winning a cash award through the McCombs Entrepreneur Summer Fellowship would impact money owed to UT or your financial aid status.
[FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS]
Who is eligible to apply?
Undergraduate students of any major are eligible to apply for a summer fellowship. Students graduating in May 2025 are not eligible to apply for a summer fellowship. If you are walking in the May graduation but graduating in December 2025, you are still welcome to apply.
What is the deadline to submit my application?
The 2024 Application is closed. A new deadline will be posted when the 2025 application opens.
How can I access the application?
The application can be accessed through the following link: McCombs Entrepreneur Summer Fellowship Application
What information is requested on the application?
Students will be required to submit information surrounding their startup’s progress, including, but not limited to, the problem your startup solves, an outline of how your solution addresses the problem, current financial projections, and what key performance indicators students hope to accomplish with the support provided by the fellowship. Additionally, students will need to upload a 5-minute pre-recorded pitch with pitch deck.
What should I do if I am unable to answer all questions on the application?
We understand that students applying for fellowships have startups at different stages of development. Please respond completely to all questions you are able to answer and skip any questions that are not currently relevant to your startup.
How are applications reviewed?
Applications will be judged on the identified problem and solution presented by the founder. Additionally, judges will review the perceived feasibility of the startup and the investment opportunity presented by the startup concept.
When will decisions be released?
Final fellowship decisions will be released by the end of May 2025. An email will be sent from the Harkey Institute to all applicants.
What are the requirements associated with receiving an application?
Students who receive a fellowship will be required to submit a thank you letter to the donors who contributed to the support of their fellowship. Additional information on this requirement will be sent to selected students.
How can receiving a fellowship impact my financial status with the university?
Fellowships will be paid to an individual student for the Summer 2025 semester, not the startup listed in the application. An increase in resources, including a financial award as a result of performance in the McCombs Entrepreneur Summer Fellowship, may result in a reduction or cancellation of financial aid funds or a requirement to repay awards already released to students. Financial awards may be used to pay outstanding payments owed to the university. If you receive financial aid or owe money to the university, you should reach out to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships or Students Accounts Receivable to determine how winning a cash award through the McCombs Entrepreneur Summer Fellowship would impact money owed to UT or your financial aid status.
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