University of Waterloo Entrepreneurial PhD Fellowship Applications Open 

In keeping with its position as Canada’s top Innovation University, today, the University of Waterloo launches its Entrepreneurial Ph.D. Fellowship pilot. These new fellowships will support outstanding, business-minded doctoral students who are interested in commercializing their research.  

Up to ten successful fellowship applicants will be enrolled in the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business’ Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) part-time program. Fellowship recipients can complete the three-year part-time program alongside their regular doctoral studies, tuition-free. Normally, domestic tuition for the program would total almost $35,000. 

“This exciting initiative keeps Waterloo at the forefront of entrepreneurship education and program innovation,” says Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo. “As traditional academic career paths continue to evolve, these fellowships will support our talented Ph.D. students with creating research-based ventures that solve meaningful problems – bringing new technologies and solutions to market and driving economic growth.” 

MBET is designed to develop students’ entrepreneurial business skills and to anchor learning in students’ own planned and evolving ventures.  

“The Conrad School is thrilled to be participating this initiative,” reports Mark Weber, director. “Purpose-driven, world-class Waterloo Ph.D. students who complete a part-time MBET and have engaged and supportive supervisors will be uniquely positioned for ground-breaking successes.  They will develop entrepreneurial mindsets, frameworks and business skills alongside the pursuit of commercializing their research, all with access to Conrad School’s faculty and Waterloo’s unrivalled coaching and support system.” 

The Entrepreneurial Ph.D. Fellowships are competitive and open to students who will have completed at least one year of doctoral study by August 31st. Students who want to learn more about MBET and the application process can review materials on the Entrepreneurial Ph.D. Fellowship website. The three-year part-time MBET program is delivered on Friday evenings and Saturdays approximately every three weeks for ten months a year. It is designed for those who work full-time and is therefore compatible with full-time doctoral studies for the right motivated students. The support of applicants’ advisors is a requirement for consideration.   

This is a truly interdisciplinary and cross-campus initiative. Fellowship funding comes both from the university and from each faculty. This year, there are four fellowships available to Engineering students, two for Science, and one each for Arts, Environment, Math, and Health.  

Completed applications are due July 18, 2022. Successful applicants will begin their part-time MBET studies in September 2022.