UW Tech Exploration Lab
A launchpad for applied AI, venture discovery, and real-world innovation.

Apply to Be an Innovation Fellow

Become an Innovation Fellow

Curious. Driven. Ready to explore what’s next?

The UW Tech Exploration Lab is welcoming students to join as Innovation Fellows this fall. Whether you’re looking for a flexible way to get involved or a more structured, stipend-supported project role, there’s a pathway for you.

Two Options

1. Volunteer Innovation Fellows

A flexible, exploratory role for students who want to plug into the Lab’s fast-moving environment. Fellows volunteer a few hours a week to try out emerging technologies, support Lab initiatives, and contribute to projects that spark their curiosity.

  • Flexible commitment: 1–7 hours/week

  • Open to all majors, backgrounds, and experience levels

  • Great way to learn, explore, and build connections

2. Paid Industry Innovation Fellowships

A stipend-supported role tied to a specific industry project or stakeholder engagement. These Fellows commit to deeper accountability with defined deliverables, deadlines, and mentorship.

  • Structured commitment (5–10 hours/week, depending on project)

  • Work on real industry-sponsored challenges with clear outcomes

  • Gain professional-level experience while contributing to meaningful innovation

Yes, you can apply for both paths.

What Makes the Lab Different

  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Work with students from CS, engineering, business, design, psychology, health, and more.

  • Exploration & Experimentation: Pilot new tools, test ideas, and embrace curiosity without pressure to be perfect.

  • Tech Intersections, Not Silos: Explore how frontier technologies—AI, XR, data science, IoT—combine in meaningful ways.

  • Alumni & Industry Mentorship: Collaborate with professionals who bring real-world context and guidance.

  • Explore-to-Venture Pathways: Some projects evolve into venture-ready ideas with alumni backing, partner support, or internal Lab sprints.

What You’ll Do

Depending on your role and interests, you might:

  • Spot trends and surface use cases at the edge of AI, XR, IoT and other emerging tech

  • Pilot tools and platforms in live experiments

  • Create content, support digital storytelling, or update Lab resources

  • Explore problem discovery and early-stage idea validation

  • Support alumni engagement, mentor events, and industry workshops

  • Build systems and internal resources that keep the Lab running

Every contribution matters—and helps shape the future of innovation on campus.

How It Works

  • Volunteer Fellows: Flexible, 1–7 hours/week, hybrid (remote + in-person), open to all majors.

  • Industry Fellows: Stipend-supported, structured weekly hours, tied to an industry challenge with defined deliverables.

With Fall Semester underway, check back for Innovation Fellow applications from Spring 2026 which will be posted here on January 15, 2026..