Question 1

What can a TOM Fellow expect?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

What's the curriculum like?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

How long is the Fellowship?

Accepted Answer

The TOM Fellowship is a 9-month program, running from September to May.

Question 4

Who should apply to be TOM Fellow?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

Does the TOM Fellowship program cost money?

Accepted Answer

No! There is no fee to participate in the program.

Question 6

Are TOM Fellows funded?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

What are the responsibilities of a TOM Fellow?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

Which schools currently have TOM Fellows?

Accepted Answer

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

FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Fellowship by the Numbers

Participated in the TOM Fellowship since 2019

Fellowship FAQs

What can a TOM Fellow expect?

What's the curriculum like?

How long is the Fellowship?

Who should apply to be TOM Fellow?

Does the TOM Fellowship program cost money?

Are TOM Fellows funded?

What are the responsibilities of a TOM Fellow?

Which schools currently have TOM Fellows?

The Fellowship Experience

Explore Past TOM Fellowship Activities

TOM: Vanderbilt Makeathon