The University Innovation Fellows (UIF) program is a global leadership experience that empowers students to become agents of change within their institutions and communities. Fellows join an international network of student leaders who are committed to shaping the future of higher education by fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and student-centered learning.
Through the program, Fellows develop the mindset, skills, and confidence needed to identify opportunities for positive change and turn ideas into action. Working alongside peers, faculty, and university leadership, they create initiatives that strengthen innovation ecosystems on their campuses and help fellow students build the creative confidence, agency, and entrepreneurial mindset required to navigate an increasingly complex world.
Across the globe, Fellows have launched student innovation spaces, founded entrepreneurship organizations, organized workshops and events, contributed to curriculum development, and championed initiatives that enhance the student experience. By bringing the student perspective into institutional conversations, Fellows help drive meaningful and lasting change in higher education.
Complementing the student experience, the Faculty Innovation Fellows program provides a two-year professional development journey for faculty and staff who are committed to advancing innovation and entrepreneurship at their institutions. Faculty Innovation Fellows collaborate with student Fellows and a global network of educators to strengthen innovation cultures and support institutional transformation.
Today, the University Innovation Fellows community spans institutions around the world, connecting students, faculty, and staff who share a commitment to creating more innovative, inclusive, and future-oriented universities. The program is hosted by DesignLab at the University of Twente and builds upon a legacy that began at the Stanford d.school through the National Center for Engineering Pathways to Innovation (Epicenter), a National Science Foundation initiative launched in 2012. Since 2025, the University of Twente has served as the global home of the University Innovation Fellows program, continuing to grow and support this worldwide community of changemakers.