R. Craig & Sheila Yoder Applied Research Fellowship Application

The Jay Hurt Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is pleased to offer funding for student research and creative work though the R. Craig and Sheila Yoder Applied Research Fellowship. One fellowship is available for the summer of 2025.

We seek proposals for projects that have as a significant component the application or development of new processes, products or services with potential for commercialization. The process of researching and evaluating the feasibility of commercialization is required as part of the fellowship, but there is no requirement to actually go to market with a process, product or service.

The project must be completed in collaboration with a Davidson faculty member and a subject matter expert from a related business, professional, or industry partner. Project proposals must be written by the student, in consultation with the faculty member and subject matter expert.

Proposals should contain the following components (for a total of 1000-1500 words):

Project Overview: Describe the concept for the proposed process, product or service, including the research or creative work necessary to apply or develop the concept. Discuss the context of existing processes, products or services, including the market in which the work will be situated, and what problems or gaps the proposed work will address.
Project Plan: Describe the specific steps and methods needed to develop the concept and assess its feasibility and its economic or social value. What materials and equipment will be required? Where will the work be done? What is the expected end product? Include alternatives you will pursue if necessary on-campus work or travel is inaccessible.
Interest and Preparation: Please explain how you became interested in this project, and the experiences that have prepared you for conducting this research and development.
Mentoring Plan: Identify a faculty member and external subject matter expert who have agreed to supervise the project according to the guidelines below. When, where and how often will each of the mentors be available to meet and give feedback? If you need assistance getting connected to a subject matter expert from the community, please email Liz Brigham '04, W. Spencer Mitchem Executive Director at the Hurt Hub at librigham@davidson.edu.
Budget: Detail anticipated expenses for supplies, equipment, professional services (e.g., legal, financial, or technical), and travel. List other sources of funding or resources that may be brought to bear on the project.
Communication Plan: Describe how project outcomes will be shared, both on and off campus. Note that if you are selected as a recipient, you will be required to write a one-page (250-word) reflection paper, meet with the Yoder family and/or other stakeholders on campus to discuss your project, and participate in the Fall Research Symposium on campus. Your reflection will also be shared in part in the Hurt Hub's annual report and in other marketing materials.
Faculty Mentor & Recommender letter: Name the Davidson faculty member (not your project mentor) who will be submitting a letter of recommendation. Please request your faculty mentor also send a brief letter of support directly to Liz Brigham (librigham@davidson.edu) at the Hurt Hub.

The 10-week summer fellowship requires full-time work (40 hours/week) with regular collaboration with faculty and subject-matter mentors. Students must meet weekly with one or both mentors. Joint meetings with the faculty and external mentors are required at the project's start, midpoint, and end. A dedicated meeting space in the Hurt Hub will be available for the duration of the fellowship.

Davidson first year students, sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply for the Yoder Applied Research Fellowship. The student stipend is $15/hour. The faculty member will receive a $3000 stipend (considered taxable income). An additional $3000 may be budgeted for supplies, travel, and any necessary professional services, and disbursed upon approval by the Executive Director of the Hurt Hub@Davidson.

All application materials, including letters of support and recommendation, are due by 11:59pm ET Sunday, February 9, 2025.

A committee consisting of members of the leadership team of the Hurt Hub@Davidson, plus one additional faculty member, a prior winner of the Yoder Fellowship, and one experienced entrepreneur will evaluate the proposals. Please direct any questions about the fellowship or proposal process to Liz Brigham (librigham@davidson.edu), Executive Director at the Hurt Hub@Davidson.