About the Penn ELITE Fellowship
The Emerging Leaders in Health Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn ELITE Fellowship) is a full-time, immersive, one-year program designed to train the next generation of health-tech innovators. This highly competitive Fellowship offers unparalleled exposure to the intersection of health, technology, and business, while equipping participants with the skills and mentorship necessary to transform cutting-edge technologies into real-world healthcare solutions.
Fellows will take on the role of entrepreneurial lead for vetted, funded projects under development, working alongside key partners at Penn and within its extensive innovation ecosystem. Whether you’re an MD, PhD, MBA graduate, or have equivalent experience, this program offers a unique opportunity to fast-track your career in health technology innovation.
The Fellowship program will officially begin on August 18, 2025 and run through July 31, 2026.
Fellowship Benefits
As a Penn ELITE Fellow, you will receive:
Compensation: An annual salary of over $60,000, plus healthcare and benefits.
Innovation Education: A curriculum spanning entrepreneurship, medical technologies, and engineering innovations for health, developed in collaboration with Wharton, the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM), and Penn Engineering.
Mentorship and Networking: Guidance from leading investors, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals.
Exclusive Opportunities: Preferred access to programs and resources within Penn Health-Tech, Wharton, Penn Engineering, and PSOM.
Career Advancement: Assistance in advancing your career beyond the program or securing roles with Penn’s partner organizations.
- Leadership Recognition: A certificate of completion from Wharton, PSOM, and Penn Engineering, signifying your leadership in health innovation.
Information for Interested Applicants
Applicants must submit the following materials to be considered for the ELITE Fellowship:
Completed Online Application Form: Submit the online application form no later than Friday, January 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST.
Résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV): Upload a current résumé or CV highlighting relevant professional and academic experience.
Short Essay Responses: Answer three essay prompts directly within the application platform. These prompts are designed to provide insight into your motivations, skills, and alignment with the Fellowship’s mission.
Transcript: Submit a transcript from your most recent degree-granting academic program (unofficial transcripts are permitted). Transcripts will verify your enrollment dates and confirm program completion in good standing.
References (2 Required, 4 Maximum): References must come from professional supervisors, mentors, or academic instructors who can speak to your potential as a leader in healthcare entrepreneurship and innovation.
At least one reference must be from a University of Pennsylvania faculty member.
Reference requests will be automatically generated and sent by the program. Referees will be asked to complete a form evaluating your skills, abilities, and strengths.
Application Timeline
The application process for the 2025-2026 Fellowship is as follows:
Applications Open: December 13, 2024
Information Session: January 14, 2025
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025
Finalists Interviews: February 19–21, 2025
Notification of Selection: March 5, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is eligible to apply for the fellowship? | The Fellowship is open to recent Penn graduates or students who will graduate by May 2025. Applicants must:
|
How many fellowship positions are available each cycle? | We anticipate filling up to 4 Fellowship positions for this cycle. |
What is the work format for the fellowship—hybrid, in-person, or remote? | The Fellowship is conducted in person on Penn’s campus. |
How are projects assigned, and do fellows have input in their selection? | Fellows will be matched with projects within Penn’s health-tech portfolio based on their interests and suitability for the team. They will take on the role of entrepreneurial lead for their assigned project during the duration of the Fellowship. |
| What are the primary responsibilities of the fellowship role? | Fellows will assess health technologies developed at Penn that have reached proof of principle, helping to develop commercialization strategies and advance them closer to market readiness. These may include supporting SBIR applications, creating companies, developing pitch decks, conducting customer discovery, and engaging with an educational curriculum on medical device commercialization. |
Does the program provide visa sponsorship for international applicants? | No, the fellowship does not provide visa sponsorship for international applicants. Applicants must already have authorization to work in the United States for the duration of the program. |
| What is the selection process for evaluating fellowship applicants? | Applicants will be evaluated based on their experience with health technologies, academic achievements, and other factors such as leadership potential, problem-solving skills, and entrepreneurial mindset. |
Who retains ownership of intellectual property (IP) developed during the fellowship? | Fellows will be supporting development and commercialization of existing technologies based on intellectual property owned by Penn. Ownership and management of any new intellectual property generated during the Fellowship will be governed by Penn’s Patent and Tangible Research Property Policies and Procedures. If a company is formed during the Fellowship with the purpose of commercializing such Penn technology, the Fellow’s involvement with the company post-Fellowship, if any, including any management, employment, consulting or advisory role, and any ownership of the company (including equity issuance), will be determined on a case-by-case basis. |
Penn ELITE Fellowship 2025-2026
About the Penn ELITE Fellowship
The Emerging Leaders in Health Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn ELITE Fellowship) is a full-time, immersive, one-year program designed to train the next generation of health-tech innovators. This highly competitive Fellowship offers unparalleled exposure to the intersection of health, technology, and business, while equipping participants with the skills and mentorship necessary to transform cutting-edge technologies into real-world healthcare solutions.
Fellows will take on the role of entrepreneurial lead for vetted, funded projects under development, working alongside key partners at Penn and within its extensive innovation ecosystem. Whether you’re an MD, PhD, MBA graduate, or have equivalent experience, this program offers a unique opportunity to fast-track your career in health technology innovation.
The Fellowship program will officially begin on August 18, 2025 and run through July 31, 2026.
Fellowship Benefits
As a Penn ELITE Fellow, you will receive:
Compensation: An annual salary of over $60,000, plus healthcare and benefits.
Innovation Education: A curriculum spanning entrepreneurship, medical technologies, and engineering innovations for health, developed in collaboration with Wharton, the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM), and Penn Engineering.
Mentorship and Networking: Guidance from leading investors, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals.
Exclusive Opportunities: Preferred access to programs and resources within Penn Health-Tech, Wharton, Penn Engineering, and PSOM.
Career Advancement: Assistance in advancing your career beyond the program or securing roles with Penn’s partner organizations.
- Leadership Recognition: A certificate of completion from Wharton, PSOM, and Penn Engineering, signifying your leadership in health innovation.
Information for Interested Applicants
Applicants must submit the following materials to be considered for the ELITE Fellowship:
Completed Online Application Form: Submit the online application form no later than Friday, January 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST.
Résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV): Upload a current résumé or CV highlighting relevant professional and academic experience.
Short Essay Responses: Answer three essay prompts directly within the application platform. These prompts are designed to provide insight into your motivations, skills, and alignment with the Fellowship’s mission.
Transcript: Submit a transcript from your most recent degree-granting academic program (unofficial transcripts are permitted). Transcripts will verify your enrollment dates and confirm program completion in good standing.
References (2 Required, 4 Maximum): References must come from professional supervisors, mentors, or academic instructors who can speak to your potential as a leader in healthcare entrepreneurship and innovation.
At least one reference must be from a University of Pennsylvania faculty member.
Reference requests will be automatically generated and sent by the program. Referees will be asked to complete a form evaluating your skills, abilities, and strengths.
Application Timeline
The application process for the 2025-2026 Fellowship is as follows:
Applications Open: December 13, 2024
Information Session: January 14, 2025
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025
Finalists Interviews: February 19–21, 2025
Notification of Selection: March 5, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is eligible to apply for the fellowship? | The Fellowship is open to recent Penn graduates or students who will graduate by May 2025. Applicants must:
|
How many fellowship positions are available each cycle? | We anticipate filling up to 4 Fellowship positions for this cycle. |
What is the work format for the fellowship—hybrid, in-person, or remote? | The Fellowship is conducted in person on Penn’s campus. |
How are projects assigned, and do fellows have input in their selection? | Fellows will be matched with projects within Penn’s health-tech portfolio based on their interests and suitability for the team. They will take on the role of entrepreneurial lead for their assigned project during the duration of the Fellowship. |
| What are the primary responsibilities of the fellowship role? | Fellows will assess health technologies developed at Penn that have reached proof of principle, helping to develop commercialization strategies and advance them closer to market readiness. These may include supporting SBIR applications, creating companies, developing pitch decks, conducting customer discovery, and engaging with an educational curriculum on medical device commercialization. |
Does the program provide visa sponsorship for international applicants? | No, the fellowship does not provide visa sponsorship for international applicants. Applicants must already have authorization to work in the United States for the duration of the program. |
| What is the selection process for evaluating fellowship applicants? | Applicants will be evaluated based on their experience with health technologies, academic achievements, and other factors such as leadership potential, problem-solving skills, and entrepreneurial mindset. |
Who retains ownership of intellectual property (IP) developed during the fellowship? | Fellows will be supporting development and commercialization of existing technologies based on intellectual property owned by Penn. Ownership and management of any new intellectual property generated during the Fellowship will be governed by Penn’s Patent and Tangible Research Property Policies and Procedures. If a company is formed during the Fellowship with the purpose of commercializing such Penn technology, the Fellow’s involvement with the company post-Fellowship, if any, including any management, employment, consulting or advisory role, and any ownership of the company (including equity issuance), will be determined on a case-by-case basis. |