IgniteU Fellowship

The IgniteU Fellowship is a program that connects primarily undergraduate college students with small businesses to provide businesses with support for an identified need and students an opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to a actual organizational challenge. 

The Fellowship is fully sponsored by the New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation (NYSTEC), at no cost to the business, and pays students for their participation. It runs every fall and spring with students working for up to 15 hours each week on their business placement site’s challenge. The program includes opportunities for professional development and networking and is designed to allow students flexibility to work around their class schedule and can accommodate in-person, remote, or hybrid placements. 

Why an IgniteU Fellowship? 

Becoming part of the IgniteU Fellowship provides students and business partners with no-cost support. Students have an opportunity for independence they may not receive in a traditional internship. Business partners receive creative, skilled students with the support of the IgniteU Fellowship team to work on a real challenge the business is facing that they may not currently have the capacity to address. 

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) defines an internship as “a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional workplace setting” (Internship Meaning and Definition: A NACE Guide last accessed 7/21/2026). NACE further describes internships as having:  

• a defined beginning and end that is mutually agreed upon and consistent with institutional sponsor guidelines and schedules; 

• a position description with clear responsibilities and required/desired qualifications; 

• clearly defined learning objectives/goals supportive of the student’s academic program goals and institutional requirements; and  

• direct supervision by a professional(s) with relevant expertise and educational and/or professional experience who provides productive feedback, guidance, and the resources and equipment necessary to successfully complete the assignment. 

While a fellowship also is an experiential learning opportunity, it is generally more independent and project based than an internship. Individuals who engage in fellowship usually have advanced degrees or substantial experience (Internships, Fellowships, and Other Work Experience Opportunities in the Federal Government | Congress.gov | Library of Congress last accessed 7/21/2026). 

Fellowship often focus on professional development, are project based, and less structured than internships (Internships vs. Fellowships: What’s the Difference? | ProFellow last accessed 7/21/2026).  

The IgniteU Fellowship is designed for the Fellows to work independently on a project that is of value to their business placement site. Fellows are supported by a mentor at the placement site, the IgniteU Fellowship team, and subject matter experts. Fellows are provided a structured weekly meeting where they receive training as needed to support their project work, professional development workshops, and opportunities to work on their project and receive feedback. They also are given networking opportunities, access to LinkedIn Learning resources, and NYSTEC team members who graciously give their time to meet with the fellows and share their knowledge and experiences in support of the Fellows’ growth and project work.