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FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Join the TOM Fellowship, a 9-month International Leadership Program built to support students who seek to apply technology and innovation to solve unmet challenges faced by people with disabilities, the elderly, and vulnerable groups in their communities.​

Fellowship by the Numbers

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129

Fellows

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68

Campuses

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16

Countries

Participated in the TOM Fellowship since 2019

FAQs
  • What can a TOM Fellow expect?
    All TOM Fellows... Learn. Enhance their leadership skills and learn about the intersection of design, engineering, and social impact through hands on workshops and curated programming. Lead. Establish and grow a TOM community on campus by leading TOM activities and creating solutions for people with unmet needs in your community. Check out examples of past TOM activities and projects in the "Explore Past TOM Activities" section below! Connect. Collaborate and network with a cohort of Fellows from all over the world who share a passion and commitment to societal change through innovation and technology.
  • What's the curriculum like?
    The program consists of workshops and seminars covering a range of theoretical concepts and practical know-how on three-pillars: Community Organizing How to share your community's story. How to manage and fund your community. Accessibility How to build empathy in your community. How to work with people with disabilities. Inclusive Product Design How to build affordable products for local manufacturing by anyone, anywhere.
  • How long is the Fellowship?
    The TOM Fellowship is a 9-month program, running from September to May.
  • Who should apply to be TOM Fellow?
    Anyone who is... A self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit and a knack for positive social impact A natural leader that likes to work with people and get them excited about big ideas Committed to setting goals and achieving results with a ‘can do’ attitude Excited about using tech for good and solving complex challenges Proficient in English and comfortable speaking in front of others Keep in mind that Fellowship applicants must be proficient in English and currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or PhD program at an accredited institution. Past TOM Fellows occupy a diverse array of academic backgrounds including, but not limited to: Architecture, Biology, Cognitive Science, Engineering, Design, Occupational and Physical Therapy, Medicine, Management, Mathematics, Nursing and Urban Planning.
  • Does the TOM Fellowship program cost money?
    No! There is no fee to participate in the program.
  • Are TOM Fellows funded?
    TOM Fellows in qualifying locations receive community seed funding and a personal stipend for their participation in the program.
  • What are the responsibilities of a TOM Fellow?
    TOM Fellows responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Creating and/or growing a TOM community of makers and social entrepreneurs on their campus. Leading TOM activities to design, build, and distribute innovative solutions for people with unmet needs. Participating in the 9-month Leadership Program along with other TOM Fellows.
  • Which schools currently have TOM Fellows?
    United States Arizona State University California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo California State University Los Angeles California State University San Marcos Carnegie Mellon University Columbia University Cornell University Duquesne University Emory University Georgia Institute of Technology Florida International University Harvey Mudd College Loyola University Chicago Miami Dade College New Jersey Institute of Technology New York University Northwestern University Pennsylvania State University Santa Monica College Southern Methodist University Stanford University The Cooper Union Thomas Jefferson University-East Falls Tulane University University of California, Los Angeles University of Alabama University of Maryland, College Park University of Massachusetts Lowell University of Michigan University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh University of Southern California University of Virginia Vanderbilt University Washington University in St. Louis Widener University Yale University Yeshiva University Israel Azrieli College Ben Gurion University Bezalel Academy of Art and Design Hadassah Academic College Holon Institute of Technology Kibbutzim College of Education, Technology and the Arts Ono Academic College Sami Shamoon College Shankar College Technion Tel Aviv University University of Haifa Global Bahir Dar Institute of Technology Kyoto University McGill University Nanyang Technological University Sabancı University Singapore University of Technology and Design University of Melbourne

The Fellowship Experience

Explore Past TOM Fellowship Activities

TOM: Vanderbilt Makeathon

The TOM: Vanderbilt community had their annual Makeathon on November 5-7 2021, led by TOM 2022-23 Fellow Lauren Grohowski. The event featured 9 teams of Makers – totaling to more than 60 students – who worked with local children to solve their neglected challenges.​

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Student teams created prototypes including a 3-D printed seat-belt grip that makes buckling in easier, a flute attachment that allows a girl who only has one hand to play, a contraption to promote independent feeding through a feeding tube, and a walker-friendly rain poncho, just to name a few!

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