Tyree Innovation Fellowship

The program is designed to equip Trinity students with the skills and mindset needed to develop innovative ideas and pursue entrepreneurial opportunities. Through a series of curated experiences, students build foundational skills in innovation, leadership, and problem solving that prepare them to succeed across a wide range of professional environments.

Through their participation in the program, students have the opportunity to complete the Innovation Certificate and the Entrepreneurship Certificate.

The Tyree Innovation Fellowship is a competitive, two-year program designed for students beginning their Trinity experience. Fellows join the program in their first year and build skills through a structured sequence of coursework, training, field trips, and hands-on activities.

The Fellowship includes two parts: a first-year experience focused on the Foundations of Innovation & Invention, followed by a second-year experience centered on Entrepreneurial & Innovation Leadership.

The first-year experience emphasizes creativity, invention, critical thinking, and problem-solving, guiding students through a concept-to-solution journey.
The second-year experience builds leadership, teamwork, empathy, analysis, communication, and personal growth skills, helping students take solutions into real-world application.

• Develop valuable skills in innovation, leadership, and problem solving

• Gain hands-on experience through team-based challenges and real-world learning

• Build connections with alumni, entrepreneurs, and campus leaders through mentorship and programming

• Access exclusive experiences, curated opportunities, and Fellowship-only events

• Create a strong foundation to complete one or both Experiential Certificates in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

→ IIE Pre-Orientation
Team building, creative challenges, guest speakers, field trips, and an introduction to design thinking and innovation mindsets.
→ Fall Semester
Innovation Academy Part 1*
Idea to Prototype (0.5 co-curricular credit)
Develop and test early-stage invention ideas through brainstorming, prototyping, and iteration culminating in an invention of your own!
→ January Term
Summit Innovation Challenge Preparation
Selected students receive mentorship to strengthen their prototype and storytelling for the annual marquee pitch event of the program.
→ Spring Semester
Innovation Academy Part 2*
Iterative Innovation Experience (0.5 co-curricular credit)
Work in teams through an iterative process to develop and refine prototypes, conduct market research, and develop initial business models culminating in a project that your team will pursue in the Entrepreneurship Academy in Year Two.

*Weekly class during the academic semester

→ Fall Semester
Entrepreneurship Academy Part 1*
Execution and Leadership (0.5 co-curricular credit)
Learn to create value and build sustainable solutions.
→ Spring Semester
Entrepreneurship Academy Part 2*
Impact and Leadership (0.5 co-curricular credit)
Explore how to expand the reach or evolve an idea with sustainability, growth, or thoughtful transitions in mind.

*Weekly class during the academic semester

Accepted students who will be attending Trinity College in Fall 2026 are eligible to apply.

We welcome and encourage a wide range of skill sets and talents, innovation is about diversity of thought. More than anything else, we are looking for students with passion to challenge themselves to gain skills to give them an advantage in life.

Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. All applications are due by May 18. Students will be notified before or by May 20 of their acceptance. The program can fill up prior to May 18 so students are encouraged to apply early if they are serious about being part of the program.

This is designed to upskill students no matter their intended career path. It is designed to expose students to a range of innovative and entrepreneurial explorations and directions and give students more documented experience and resume success earlier in their college career — making them more competitive, sooner, for the choice internship, apprenticeship, and other similar experiences. Finding new ways to solve problems and create new solutions are lifelong skills that will bolster students in all avenues of life.

The average Fellow spends around 5-6 hours a week during the school year. Students will take part in 1 co-curricular course per semester (Fall and Spring) over the 2 years of the fellowship. These co-curricular course meet on a weekly basis.

Yes, you can commit to both! The Tyree Innovation Fellowship Program is designed to be flexible and accommodating, allowing participants to pursue other interests and commitments, including athletic commitments. Balancing your time between the fellowship and your other pursuits is definitely feasible. With effective time management and a clear schedule, you’ll be able to fully engage in both activities and gain valuable experiences from each.