Innovation Fund Associates Program
The Innovation Fund Associates (IFA) are an interdisciplinary group of 15 to 20 students and postdocs interested in learning to think like an investor and to assess innovative science and deep tech ventures emerging from the University of Chicago ecosystem.
The IFA program is structured as an experiential learning opportunity in which associates learn by doing as part of an interdisciplinary team. Associates take a deep dive into one science or deep tech startup per cycle, getting a close-up look at the commercialization process and what it takes to move a technology from the lab into the real world.
Alumni of the IFA program have been paired with faculty to spin out new ventures, placed with VC funds in our network, and worked on strategic projects for the George Shultz Innovation Fund.
Application and Eligibility
Innovation Fund Associates are selected from across the University of Chicago ecosystem and commit to one 10-week investment cycle in the spring quarter in addition to eight weeks of training in the winter quarter. Current UChicago graduate and undergraduate students and post-docs are eligible to apply for the program. The program is team-based, and associates create teams based on their individual interests and areas of expertise. Teams typically consist of at least . . .
- One scientist (PhD or postdoc)
- One Chicago Booth student
- One law student
- One College or other UChicago student
The Innovation Fund Associates program is an intense experiential learning program, and Associates commit to dedicating at least 15 hours per week during each 10-week investment cycle. Applications for the 2027 cohort will open in September 2026.