12/19/2023
By FNU Ritika

The UMass Lowell Innovative Fellows Training Program (LIFT) is an experiential biotech and medtech learning opportunity for graduate students and post-doctoral researchers working in the fields of aging and aging-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. LIFT aims to provide more diverse career opportunities for early-career scientists working in the aging space who are interested in entrepreneurship. The program is a paid, semester-long commitment (in addition to academic research responsibilities). LIFT fellows will gain business skills including competitive analysis, analytical marketing, regulatory strategy, reimbursement strategy, intellectual property and other legal matters, and financing a venture.

Program details:

  • 14 sessions during the UML Spring academic semester, Jan. 16 – April 26
  • Time commitment is approximately 2 hours per week for 14 weeks; approximately 6-8 hours for the final pitch event not including travel. Dates and times for weekly seminars will be determined based on accepted students' availability.
    • Mentorship and networking with biotech companies
  • Travel to Lowell, Massachusetts, for the final event will be required and a $1,000 per person reimbursement will be provided
  • Fellowship stipend per trainee is $2,016

Requirements / Instructions:
We welcome graduate students, within one year of graduation. This includes PhDs, MDs, and dual degrees (e.g., MD/PhD, MD/MBA). Masters students with research experience are also encouraged to apply.

Tentative List of Workshop Topics

  • Building a pitch deck and telling your story
  • Pitch coaching
  • Technical risk and scientific plan
  • Market analysis and applying your innovation
  • Regulatory strategy
  • Fundraising
  • Importance of DEI in building new teams
  • Inclusive Leadership and Unconscious Bias

How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit the application by midnight on Dec. 22. In addition, a letter of support from their Principal Investigator or Department Chair should be emailed to LIFT@uml.edu. 

If you have any questions please email LIFT@uml.edu