NEXT Innovation Scholars

NEXT Innovation Scholars is a highly selective, cohort-based scholarship program that builds on and supplements students’ traditional discipline-based degree programs with program-specific requirements that can be integrated into the course of their degree without adding additional years of study. A diverse cohort of 10-20 high-potential students is selected each year. Once selected to NIS, students remain in the program for the rest of their undergraduate career at UC, provided they continue to meet all program requirements. Program alumni will continue to have opportunities to engage with NIS even after graduation — once a scholar, always a scholar.

Signature Elements

NIS is uniquely differentiated from other scholarship and honors programs by its emphasis on collaborative, cross-disciplinary experiences that intentionally create collisions between disciplines and industries. Examples include:

• Participation in multiple cross-disciplinary innovation immersion experiences with external partners from commercial industry, cause-based organizations and social entrepreneurs, and scholarly thought leaders.
• Structured opportunities for professional mentorship and networking through local, regional and national networks of alumni and leaders in the field of innovation.
• Additional layers of student advising related to coursework, extra/co-curricular engagement and career education.
• Completion of specific cross-disciplinary innovation coursework.
• Access to training, networking and active engagement with a global network of peer innovators through the University Innovation Fellows program facilitated by Stanford University.
• Streamlined engagement with the burgeoning Cincinnati Innovation District and the 1819 Innovation Hub.

These unique experiences, courses and access to resources position NEXT Innovation Scholars as collaborators and co-creators in the future of innovation at UC and beyond by placing them at the epicenter of local, national and global innovation ecosystems.

Financial Scholarships

NIS provides financial support to participating students through scholarships for undergraduate tuition and supplemental educational experiences. Participation in several program-related experiences such as events, professional development trainings and travel engagements are also covered at no cost or reduced cost to students. NIS scholarships are renewable for up to eight full-time in-class semesters, adjusted to each student’s remaining time to degree completion when accepted to the program, provided they meet all program requirements and expectations.

Are you a current or prospective UC student that’s eager to create what’s NEXT, and shape a better tomorrow through collaboration and bold ideas? Applications to the NEXT Innovation Scholars program open each January with the selection of the new cohort announced by the end of the Spring semester. NIS scholarship awards and official programming for the next cohort begin in the Fall semester of the new academic year that follows. Applications are open to all current or incoming University of Cincinnati students that will have at least two years left in a full-time baccalaureate degree program at the start of the Fall semester when scholarship awards and official programming for their cohort begins. In most cases, this includes full-time enrollment in a Clifton/Uptown campus college degree program.

In addition to consistent, strong academic performance, NEXT Innovation Scholars specifically seeks students who are humble, hungry, curious and bold. Key characteristics for consideration include:

• A holistic, inclusive and informed perspective on innovation and its significance to a modern world.
• Adaptability and a mindset of cross-disciplinary curiosity.
• An approach to collaboration that values collective impact and inclusion over individual achievement.
• An orientation toward action and creating impact.
• Demonstrated professionalism and leadership potential, both with peers and external collaborators.

Before applying to NIS, students are encouraged to read and reflect on the program requirements and expectations. NIS is not just a scholarship; it’s a transformational academic program that includes a scholarship as a benefit. NEXT Innovation Scholars are expected to actively participate in a variety of mandatory and optional program activities throughout the year, including the summer semester and while on full-time co-op. You’ll work hard, but you’ll work together with a diverse, inclusive community of peers from a variety of majors and academic years, sharing unique educational experiences that are signature to NIS and will shape your undergraduate career.

Application Instructions for Current UC Students:

The deadline to apply for the Fall 25 NIS cohort is 11/13/24 at 11:59 PM. In addition to application responses, all applicants will be required to participate in a team-based innovation challenge as described in the application description. Scholarship funding for newly accepted students will begin in the Fall 2025 semester.

To apply:

• Log onto Catalyst.
• Go to the “Scholarship Search” tile.
• In the search field, enter the phrase “NEXT Innovation Scholarship” to pull up the online application.

NEXT Innovation Scholars is a prestigious program spearheaded by President Neville G. Pinto, demonstrating UC’s commitment to innovation on a national stage. Participating students will be positioned at the center of UC’s innovation ecosystem and considered “ambassadors of innovation” at the University of Cincinnati; the student face of our Next Lives Here strategic direction and innovation agenda. As such, expectations for sustained engagement, commitment, and demonstrated leadership are high.Are you a current or prospective UC student that’s eager to create what’s NEXT, and shape a better tomorrow through collaboration and bold ideas? Applications to the NEXT Innovation Scholars program open each January with the selection of the new cohort announced by the end of the Spring semester. NIS scholarship awards and official programming for the next cohort begin in the Fall semester of the new academic year that follows. Applications are open to all current or incoming University of Cincinnati students that will have at least two years left in a full-time baccalaureate degree program at the start of the Fall semester when scholarship awards and official programming for their cohort begins. In most cases, this includes full-time enrollment in a Clifton/Uptown campus college degree program.

The NEXT Innovation Scholars program is not a traditional scholarship; it’s a transformational educational program that includes scholarships as a benefit. Students in NIS are expected to actively participate in program activities throughout the year, including the summer semester and while on full-time co-op. We’ll work hard, but we’ll work together as a diverse, inclusive community from a variety of majors and academic years, sharing unique educational experiences that are signature to NIS and will shape your undergraduate career.

Requirements for maintaining program participation and scholarships include:

• Maintaining at least a 3.3 cumulative grade point average.
• Maintaining full-time student status in the Fall and Spring semester. (NOTE: Participating in a full-time co-op is considered full-time student status, provided the student is enrolled in an associated co-op course with UC)
• Consistent, active participation in and on-time completion of all required NIS activities outlined in the tables below (events, projects, meetings, etc.) with professionalism and excellence.
• Consistent, active attendance at all NIS program meetings.
• Consistent, active attendance at and participation in team project meetings and working sessions.
• Consistent completion of all assigned project-related tasks, prep work, research, documentation and deliverables, etc. by or before stated deadlines. This includes work assigned by any member of program or project leadership teams, including NIS program staff and student leaders in defined leadership positions.
• Timely responses to all program-related communication (email, phone, chat, requests for RSVP’s, form completion, etc.) from program leadership (staff and/or student leaders).
  • Messages regarding RSVP’s, sign-ups, etc. will always include a clear due date. The expectation is that all students will respond as requested by or before the stated deadline.
  • In instances where a quick response or reaction is requested, a response within 24 hours is expected unless there are extenuating circumstances that prevent this from being possible (severe illness, significant family emergency, etc.)
• Maintaining a respectful, collaborative attitude, tone, and approach to all interactions with NIS leadership and peers, including receiving feedback on opportunity areas.
• Maintaining a high level of professionalism when representing NIS both internally (at UC) and with parties outside of the University.
• Contributing to an inclusive, collaborative program environment and community by supporting peers, demonstrating a commitment to NIS priorities, and leading by example.
• Actively participating in optional NIS programming when possible (community engagements, networking events, external partner-led innovation sprints and programming, social events, etc.)

Outline of Mandatory Program Activities:

As a baseline, students in NIS should plan to devote an average of 4-6 hours per week each semester on program-related responsibilities throughout the academic year (similar to that of a 3 credit-hour class), with some seasonal peaks and valleys depending on the specific project(s) you’re involved in. This may include program meetings, working on short-term and long-term projects, participating in mentoring and advising sessions, and representing NIS at events. Newly accepted students will participate in several specific onboarding and training activities as a cohort, designed to foster inclusion through shared experiences, and equip you with the tools, terminology, and mindsets that make NIS a signature innovation program. NIS students who pursue and are selected for project and program leadership roles should plan to devote at least 8-15 hours per week on NIS responsibilities associated with these roles. Specific expectations and requirements for these positions are documented in the NIS leadership development plan document.

It is understood that in some cases, full participation in required NIS events and some programming may not be possible due to co-op location, study abroad, medical emergencies, and other extenuating circumstances of major consequence. In these cases, students should proactively work with the NIS Leadership Team in advance to create a plan of action to meet program expectations and maintain scholarship funding and membership in NIS. NIS students who unenroll from the university or formally pause engagement with the program for other reasons will be required to meet with program leadership and develop an approved plan for readmittance. The maximum time a student may be permitted a pause in scholarship and participation in the program is limited to one academic year. Students are not guaranteed re-entry to the NIS program after re-enrolling or formally disengaging with the program. Such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may require a student to re-apply and/or meet specific criteria to be considered.

Program Requirements and Continuation of Scholarship:

Active program participation and successful fulfillment of all program requirements will be evaluated annually to ensure good standing, or more frequently if program leadership identifies areas of concern; failure to complete program requirements and/or expectations can result in termination of NIS scholarship awards and discharge from the program. A student’s first year in the NEXT Innovation Scholars program is considered provisional and can be immediately discontinued at the end of the academic year if the student has not fulfilled any of the program requirements or remained in good academic standing.

NEXT Innovation Scholars has been specifically designed to support fluid, agile collaborations that move at the pace of change. Collaboration with partners both inside and outside of the university innovation ecosystem are vital to the strength of this dynamic program. Examples include project-based innovation challenges and ideation sessions, industry-related “field trips” and immersive travel experiences, professional networking and training events, and engagement with a national network of professional mentors from a variety of industries and disciplines.