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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

282
Fellows

97
Campuses

17
Countries
Participated in the TOM Fellowship since 2019
















FAQs
Fellowship FAQs
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.
The program consists of workshops and seminars covering a range of theoretical concepts and practical know-how on three-pillars:
Inclusive Product Design
• How to build affordable products for local manufacturing by anyone, anywhere.
Accessibility
• How to build empathy in your community.
• How to work with people with disabilities.
Community Organizing
• How to share your community's story.
• How to manage and fund your community.
The TOM Fellowship is a 9-month program, running from September to May.
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.
No! There is no fee to participate in the program.
Though this is an international program, only TOM Fellows in the US can request funding through the TOM Fellowship Fund that they can use towards approved activities and projects. Fellows in the US who successfully fulfill all program requirements will also receive a $500 stipend upon completion of the program.
TOM Fellows responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Creating and/or growing a TOM community of makers and social entrepreneurs on their campus.
• Lead the design, build, and distribution of innovative solutions for people with unmet needs.
• Host events on campus to help activate their community to create solutions.
• Participating in required monthly workshops.
United States
Arizona State University
California State University of Los Angeles
California State University of San Marcos
California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo
Columbia University
Cornell University
Duquesne University
Elon University
Emory University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Harvey Mudd College
Johns Hopkins University
Kennesaw State University
Loyola University Chicago
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Northwestern University
Queens College
Slippery Rock University
Southern Methodist University
Stanford University
Thomas Jefferson University
Touro University
Trinity College
Tulane University
University of Alabama
University of California Los Angeles
University of California San Diego
University of Delaware
University of Florida
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Michigan
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of Puerto Rico
University of Southern California
University of Virginia
Vanderbilt University
Washington University in St. Louis
Yale University
Israel
Azrieli College of Engineering Jerusalem
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Bezalel Academy of Art and Design
Braude College of Engineering
Holon Institute of Technology (HIT)
Jerusalem Multidisciplinary College
Kibbutzim College
Shenkar College
Technion - Israel Institute of Technology
Tel Aviv University
Global
Indian Institute of Technology
Jammu Graduate School of Kobe Gakuin University
Lyallpur Khalsa College
Nanyang Technological University
Sabancı University
The Fellowship Experience
Explore Past TOM Fellowship Activities
TOM: Vanderbilt Makeathon
The TOM: Vanderbilt community had their annual Makeathon on October 24-26 2025, led by TOM Fellow Tessa Mahoney. Together, the club engaged 174 student makers and 13 Need-Knowers to deliver 33 customized assistive-technology solutions.
Projects included wheelchair adaptations, adaptive art and gardening tools, waterproof mobility solutions, and developmental supports designed in collaboration with children, families, and therapists.



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