Princeton University START Entrepreneurs Program 2022 (Fully Funded)

Application Deadline: January 2, 2022, 11:59 pm ET

The START Entrepreneurs program is an integrated program that is part academic fellowship and part startup accelerator. The goal of the program is to help aspiring commercial and social entrepreneurs translate academic scholarship into highly impactful new ventures.

Princeton desires to help create a better future by ensuring that its innovations become available to the broader public. The University’s initiative is especially important at this time in our history, as we confront multiple interwoven global challenges. Our faculty and professional research staff are increasingly involved in translating their scholarly research into creative solutions to address societal challenges.

In the Research phase, START Entrepreneurs spend 12 months on campus working with a Princeton University PI engaged in translational research leading to new or enhanced innovations that can be applied in a for-profit or not-for-profit startup. During this time, START Entrepreneurs receive training in entrepreneurship along with tailored mentorship.  

In the Accelerator phase, START Entrepreneurs spend 18 months off campus at the Princeton Innovation Center BioLabs where they work full time on their new startup or non-profit organization. Educational programming and mentorship will be ongoing during this phase as well.

The program is fully funded, and includes both salary and benefits for the Entrepreneur as well as a stipend during the Research phase. All startups that are approved to participate in the Accelerator phase also receive a substantial additional investment over the course of the Accelerator phase.

The START program strongly encourages applications from individuals who will contribute to the University’s diversity, broadly defined, including members of groups that have been historically, and are presently, underrepresented in academic entrepreneurship, such as racial and ethnic minorities.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility:  To apply, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Earned an advanced degree from any university by the start date of their appointment (no later than September 1, 2022). 
• Have the ability to work in the US. US citizens, US permanent residents (green card holders) and non-immigrants with unrestricted employment authorization (visa holders) are eligible to apply. 
• Strong preference for applicants with PhDs.

Research Proposal Requirements:

The purpose of this program is to enable entrepreneurs to translate academic research into highly impactful new ventures. 

All proposals must be based upon ideas that have a high probability of leading to a scalable and impactful spin-out.

The proposed research must be strongly aligned with the sponsoring Princeton faculty member.

You must be committed to becoming a full-time entrepreneur. This program does not allow for other, concurrent, work activities.

Sponsoring Faculty Requirements

All faculty nominations must be accompanied by a signed START Faculty Agreement.

If your sponsoring faculty member/PI is a Lecturer, their contract with Princeton must extend at least the first 18 months of your appointment.

Timeline

Official Website: Princeton University START Entrepreneurs Program 2022