Institute for Innovation & Change

• Adopt an agent of change mindset rooted in agency, design thinking, and systems thinking.
• Collaborate across disciplines to co-create actionable solutions.
•  Translate insights into an actionable plan, grounded in feasibility and leveraging available resources (i.e., being scrappy).
• Engage advisors, mentors, and stakeholders to refine ideas.
• Develop clarity of purpose and a theory of impact beyond academia.
• Leverage AI and other systems to accelerate the bias towards action.

• Individual Challenge: identified by each participant to address an aspect of their research or community.
• Innovation and Leadership Frameworks: explored through 10 sessions (90-minutes) focusing on ​Design Thinking, Action Research, and Lean Methods with expert guest speakers (IIC community members) from industry and non-profit sectors. Modality is in-person to build community.
• Team Challenge:  identified by participants in an interdisciplinary team of 4 to 5 to apply innovation concepts through collaborative discussions and activities.
• Team Change Action Plan: developed by each team that includes problem definition and system map; theory of change and leverage points; stakeholder and partnership strategy; next-step prototype or pilot plan; and 5-minute public showcase pitch.
• Individual Change Action Plan: developed by each participant and shared with peers through three workshops in Spring 2027 to collect input, gain support, and expand their networks.
• Board of Advisors: access to industry and non-profit leaders who advise participants in developing their Individual Change Action Plan.
• AI Tools: cohorts are trained to use and leverage AI to accelerate their path to action.
• Professional Development Funding: up to $1,000 to support professional development activities (travel to a conference, workshops, etc.). Funding must be used by June 30, 2029.  Funding must be used while participants are a current UMN student or staff member.
• Digital Badge at the Gold level from the Graduate School to document participation in IIC.
• Number of participants: 20 maximum.

• Open to BOTH graduate students and postdocs
  • Be enrolled in a professional or research-based Master’s (MPH, MS, MA, etc.), or a doctoral program (PhD, DNP, EdD, etc.) and in good academic standing in Fall 2026 and Spring 2027
  • Can also be a Postdoctoral Associate (9546) or Postdoctoral Fellow (9560) with 50 - 100% appointment through Spring 2027
  • For this pilot year, applications will be accepted from students and postdocs who are on the Twin Cities campus

• Clearly stated motivation to join the inaugural IIC cohort.
• Clear description of challenge or area for desired change.
• Strong interest in leadership in disciplinary and/or community contexts.
• Curiosity and openness to multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Desire to coach others and be coached by others.

Please submit the information below using this application form.

• Statement of Purpose (300 words max) – describe your interest in being in the inaugural IIC cohort and how participating in the Institute will enhance your professional development.
• Individual Challenge (500 words max) – describe the challenge or area of change you wish to address.
• 2-page resume in PDF format (upload)

• One reference letter describing how your experiences and interests align with the IIC purpose and goals (must be submitted by someone familiar with your academic and/or professional interests).
• The reference letter must be emailed to [email protected].

Please submit the application form and reference letter by the following dates.

• Priority deadline:  April 16, 2026 For those submitting their applications by the priority deadline, you will have your applications reviewed in advance of the general pool for 1 of up to 5 priority slots (20 slots total). 

  • Those not accepted for a priority slot will be considered with the general pool.

• General deadline: April 30, 2026