Stanford Biodesign Innovation Fellowship

The Biodesign Innovation Fellowship is a 10-month experience that equips aspiring innovators with a proven, repeatable process to identify important health-related needs, invent novel health technologies to address them (including medical devices, diagnostics, digital health, drug delivery, and biotechnology solutions), and prepare to implement those products into patient care through start-ups, corporations, or other channels.

In addition, the Innovation Fellows become part of the Stanford Biodesign community, a life-long, worldwide network of innovators passionate about improving healthcare.

The Stanford Biodesign Innovation Fellowship is a launch pad for initiating, redirecting, or accelerating a career in health technology innovation. Stanford Biodesign graduates apply their talents to:

• Catalyzing innovation inside major medical device, diagnostic, digital health, and biotechnology companies
• Building their own health technology start-ups
• Teaching and/or leading translational research programs for world-class universities
• Driving innovation initiatives within academic or private medical centers
• Becoming specialists in design, investing, or other aspects of the health technology innovation ecosystem

They also become part of the Stanford Biodesign community, a life-long, worldwide network of innovators passionate about improving healthcare.

Individuals with advanced degrees and/or substantial work experience in the engineering, life sciences, computer science, business, product design, law, medical, or nursing fields are encouraged to apply. Fellows will be selected based on their experience, passion, and drive, as well as their potential to become leading innovators in the health technology field.

Innovation Fellows come from a diversity of educational, professional, and personal backgrounds, so there’s no single profile that reflects an “ideal” candidate. That said, you can find useful guidance in this section of our website to help you assess your fit with the program and ensure the time is right for you to apply.

Stanford Biodesign Fellows become members of the Stanford Biodesign team at the James H. Clark Center on the Stanford University campus. Needs finding is completed at Stanford Health Care, as well as a variety of other clinical and community-based settings across the continuum of care.

The fellowship is a full-time, intensive academic experience that runs from the beginning of August through early June each year. Stanford Biodesign Innovation Fellows receive a monthly stipend and health benefits during their fellowship period.

Applications for the 2027-28 fellowship open on June 8, 2026. The deadline to submit a complete application is August 27, 2026. Detailed information about the program is available throughout this section of our website. Be sure to review the information thoroughly before applying, especially our Frequently Asked Questions page.