Enroll in the nation’s fastest-growing Fellowship, designed for students to advance their career while making an impact.
The National Innovation Council (NIC) was created by educators, industry mentors, and nonprofit leaders who spent decades guiding students through outcome‑driven programs at the Council for Global Health Scholars. Today, NIC takes that proven model beyond healthcare and into engineering, technology, law, and education—so any ambitious student can turn bold ideas into real‑world solutions.
Unlike internships that often limit you to observation or narrow tasks, an NIC Fellowship is designed for measurable results. Over 100–120 hours, you’ll lead or join a cross‑disciplinary team, apply AI‑powered tools, and develop a capstone project that improves lives on campus or across the globe. You’ll earn accredited college credit, industry‑verified digital badges, and the prestigious Honors Fellow designation—credentials that stand out to graduate programs and employers alike.
Most important, you leave with a tested innovation, a network of mentors and peers, and the confidence that comes from seeing your work drive tangible impact.
Design a system to deliver a low-cost telemedicine platform for remote communities.
Identify a solution and develop a streamlined process for conducting basic blood labs (CBC, BMP, LFT, lipids, glucose) in mobile clinics
Design a portable water filtration system that can be used in a rural household to provide clean drinking water
Develop a plan to expand the footprint of a nonprofit Medical & Dental Clinic NGO
Support a NGO that is developing a carbon credit certification to pursue large scale reforestation throughout Central America
Supporting a collaborative of rural coffee farmers in Honduras with governance and supply chain solutions
We’ve designed the Fellowship to fit seamlessly with a full undergraduate courseload, ensuring it’s manageable for busy students. The time commitment for the program is 1-2 hours per week.
University-based fellowships are funded by your tuition, and similarly, our program fees support the costs of delivering a high-quality, hands-on Fellowship experience. The difference? Our Fellowship program offers the same impactful opportunities at a fraction of the cost compared to university tuition.
The Global Impact Fellowship program may be new to some University Chapters, but a variation of it was previously implemented through our partner, Global Medical Brigades®, at over 200 universities. The Global Impact Fellowship is an evolution of that program, now featuring a dedicated Chapter to provide students with a more focused and impactful journey.
No, travel is not required. However, all Fellows will have the option to complete a site visit to their assigned projects region in the second year of their Fellowship. This is an optional program feature.
The NIC is accredited by Array Global, the parent organization that partners for co-accreditation with WASC (Western Accrediting Commission for Schools) and MSA-CCS (Middle States Association – Commission for Colleges and Schools), both listed on the DAPIP (Database of Accredited Post-Secondary Institutions and Programs)
Students are nominated based on academic achievements, leadership potential, and curricular focus on health and medicine. We seek students with the potential to become leaders of innovation. This program connects driven individuals to support communities in need while developing a strong global professional network to accelerate their own career success.
Program fees directly support creating a remarkable, hands-on educational experience. This includes the planning and resources needed to deliver real-world projects, personalized mentorship, and leadership training. Fees also help fund on-campus events and activities, ensuring you gain valuable skills and connections throughout the program.
The program is designed with financial inclusivity in mind, priced from $99-$299. A fraction of traditional tuition—while offering an enriching experience outside the classroom. Although we don’t offer traditional financial aid, we do offer payment plans with the flexibility to cancel at any time, allowing them to explore the program and decide if it’s the right fit.
Any individual may apply to complete the Global Impact Fellowship. Students who have received an invitation are permitted to enroll without an application. Students who are admitted without an on-campus chapter will complete their program as a member of the Global Chapter which has it’s own live events & networking.
We do not offer traditional financial aid or scholarships, but we’ve designed our program fees to be financially inclusive and as low as possible. Our all-inclusive monthly fees are a small fraction of typical tuition costs, ensuring accessibility while providing exceptional value for hands-on, real-world healthcare experience.
A consortium of University-based student chapters focused on building tomorrow’s leaders of innovation by supporting today’s communities in-need.
contact@joinnic.org
(617) 612-5245
