Student Fellowship
2026 Cohort Applications OpenWhat is the C3 Student Fellowship?
The C3 Student Fellowship program empowers UCCS undergraduate and graduate students to collaborate with motivated peers to take creative concepts into real-world project deliverables. Our curriculum offers structured guidance to bring ideas to reality. Each cohort hosts events to support and inspire the broader community.
For the 2026/2027 academic year, we are building a cohort of 8 students. Every student fellow receives $1,500 per semester ($3,000 total) to support educational goals, a C3 Innovation Certificate of Completion, and a Digital Badge. As part of this cohort, students benefit from collective learning, ongoing mentorship, and a supportive network. The program offers hands-on innovation workshops, skill-building activities, and exclusive sessions with guest speakers.
Interested? See Our Program Requirements
Turn your ideas into purposeful action by joining a cohort dedicated to making a positive and lasting impact on campus or the larger community.
All degree-seeking UCCS students: undergraduate, graduate, any major! We hope for applications from every college to build an interdisciplinary cohort that supports each other.
Degree-seeking student status with at least 1 onsite credit per semester during the cohort year
This means you will be registered for at least 1 credit in the both Fall and Spring that is in-person, on campus. 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.
This means you are a Sophomore, Junior, or Senior status or a Graduate Student
All degrees types and majors eligible.
As part of this cohort, you’ll benefit from collective learning, ongoing mentorship, and a supportive network. The program offers hands-on innovation workshops, skill-building activities, and exclusive sessions with guest speakers.
Also, every fellow receives $1,500 per semester ($3,000 total) to support educational goals, a C3 Innovation Certificate of Completion, and a Digital Badge.
Throughout the program, you’ll develop impactful projects tailored to your interests in arts, humanities, applied sciences, and more. We’ll help you propose, refine, and implement a project to fit your interests, passions, and career goals!
For example…
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.
By completing a real-world project, you’ll directly benefit the campus or broader community while building valuable skills.
The program is a 1-year commitment, beginning in the Fall semester and ending with the C3 Innovation Showcase in the Spring. You are expected to develop a project, show progress towards your project milestones, attend workshops and learning days, plan and host one community event, and present your work at the C3 Innovation Showcase.
The program curriculum will include active participation and attendance tracking for:
- Canvas Shell Activities
- Attendance at Events
- Project Progress Reports
The stipend will be paid each semester ($1,500), based on your participation in the program expectations.
Submit materials through Mountain Lion Connect by April 2, 2026 at 11:59pm.
You will be asked to submit the following information:
- Applicant Information (Name, ID, College, Program, Expected Graduate Date)
- Eligibility Confirmation (Earned Credit Hours and Enrollment Plans)
- Statement of Interest: 500 words describing your interest in innovation, your goals for participating in the fellowship, your project idea for the innovation showcase, and how your background prepares you for interdisciplinary work.
- Resume or CV
- Recommender (professor, advisor, coach, internship coordinator, club officer, or other professional mentor) who will complete a brief survey on your behalf. Submit their name and email address in your application.
Decisions will be made by May with the cohort announcement.
Find Application Help
Support and Mentorship begins before you even apply! Visit these resources for help with your application materials.
Application Info Sessions
Join the Innovation and Design Librarian for Program and Application Information Sessions to learn about the cohort and receive help on the application materials.
The next session will be held online on Thursday February 19th from 2:00 to 2:30.
Career Center
The T. Rowe Price Career and Innovation Center can help you with resume and CV formatting! You can book a Career Advising Appointment to help with your application resume AND prepare your other career documents for general benefit.