THE CONCEPT:
PICTURE WAKING UP WITH EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, COACHING, AND AN AUDIENCE
WHAT WILL YOU BUILD?
Since its inception in 2015,
Nebraska Innovation Studio has empowered Nebraska's tech ecosystem from the ground up.
With that experience in mind, NIS is proud to launch a first-of-its-kind Robotics Fellowship Program designed to empower Nebraska's robotics innovators at all levels.
Over the course of five months, selected fellows will receive advanced robotics tools, expert mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to state-of-the-art facilities at Nebraska Innovation Studio.
This program carries out the Heartland Robotics Cluster's vision to hone Nebraskans’ creative and technical talents, retain top talent within the state, bolster strategic industry partnerships, strengthen the state’s robotics ecosystem, and create a skills pipeline to high-impact economic sectors.
EXCELLENCE
Equip top talent with vital resources and access to Nebraska Innovation Studio – an advanced hub of robotics and fabrication equipment essential to overcoming the design challenges fellows will face.
MENTORSHIP
Cultivate a network of experienced professionals and industry leaders who provide guidance, feedback, and support, ensuring fellows have informed and direct resources for success.
CONNECTION
Bolster the grassroots robotics community by providing platforms for fellows’ work, forging industry connections, and growing an ecosystem that allows top innovators and employers to thrive.
Applicants must be legal adults and residents of Nebraska.
BENEFITS FOR BUILDERS AT ALL LEVELS
FELLOWS WILL RECEIVE:
designed to empower all elements of a builder's toolkit
- High Performance Laptop Access: Laptops will be reserved for each fellow for the duration of the program, fully-loaded with essential software including MATLAB/Simulink, SolidWorks, Autodesk Suite, VScode, Adobe Creative Cloud, and more.
- Networking Opportunities: Special access to connection-building events including The Heartland Robotics and Automation Conference, special guest advisors, NIS-RSS Talks, one-on-one mentorship, and more.
- Materials Allowance: Fellows will receive $2,500 materials/supply credit via NIS. This can be used for 3D printing materials, electrical components, metal stock, or other consumables.
- Media and Marketing Support: NIS will assist fellows in documenting and showcasing their work, which can be used for job applications, grant proposals, entrepreneurial pitches, and more.
- Extended Access: Twice per week, fellows will have access to NIS’s tools, facilities, and staff outside of normal hours.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
The ideal fellow embodies creativity, a passion for learning, and a commitment to innovation.
This includes candidates seeking project support, mentorship, professional development, connections within Nebraska’s robotics community, and more. Applicants should provide a CV, a statement of intent, and a description of the project they wish to develop during the program.
Key Traits:
1. Motivated and Driven
2. Maker Mentality
3. Concrete Vision / Interest / Project
4. Strong Communicator
5. Adaptable and Resilient
All experiences, skill levels, projects, and backgrounds are encouraged to apply - it only takes a few minutes.
More Details
More about the Project component:
The focus of this program is to support the builder - not the project. We don't care what type of project work you pursue during the course of this program. It can be a thesis/capstone, a robotics idea you've wanted to develop, an existing element of your research, or something you saw online that you wanted to build. It can even just be a general idea or subject you wish to pursue. However, we do want to make sure that you have a concrete concept or specific interest area to explore in order to maximize your use of the program's resources.
A fellow’s project complexity or success is not the primary measure of program success. Instead, you will be sharing your work and development at key points throughout the program. By sharing your process of innovation, fellows will create opportunities for collaboration and refine essential skills in articulating your work to diverse audiences. While technical prowess is valued, the key metric for candidates’ success will be their engagement with NIS members, staff, and each other.
Program staff can provide guidance or advice as needed, but will not control the project’s content. In the meantime, as NIS is developing a robotics lab space, fellows will have the opportunity to provide input on potential equipment and facilities beneficial to their work.
Who is eligible:
Applicants must be 18+, Nebraska residents, and have regular transportation access to Nebraska Innovation Studio.
Expected time commitment:
Successful Applicants must maintain active involvement in the program to continue receiving their benefits. With eleven events planned through the course of the program, this equates to approximately two mandatory in-person events per month. These events include an introduction to program resources, one-on-one mentorship opportunities, a monthly speaker series, periodic project check-ins, and a final showcase of fellows’ progress – with weekly office hours and open build time at NIS in between. The rest is up to you - you work at your own pace.
As a ballpark figure, we expect that to equate to approximately 3 hours per week.
THINK YOU FIT THE BILL?
CALLING ALL CREATORS, PASSIONATE LEARNERS, AND INNOVATORS. ALL BACKGROUNDS WELCOME.
MUST BE 18+ AND A NEBRASKA RESIDENT
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
More Information:
When will I know about my application?
Online applications will be open from November 22nd - December 6th. Finalist Candidates will then be invited to participate in a brief live interview via Zoom the week of December 16th. The 2025 Heartland Robotics Cluster Fellows will then be announced on January 6th.
What is the selection criteria for fellows?
Fellows will be evaluated via online application and interview, with communication skills, motivation and commitment, technical proficiency, and an innovative mindset all factoring in to the final decision process.
How will the success of the program be measured?
Program outcome narratives are the primary driver for the fellowship’s first iteration, in order to help justify future program offerings, generate case studies, and illustrate the impact of HRC efforts writ large. In evaluating program success, each fellow’s engagement and participation, project impact, post-program outcomes, and feedback from stakeholders (via existing IRB-approved methodologies) will all be considered.
What happens if a fellow fails to maintain active involvement?
With eleven events tentatively scheduled over the core program period, active engagement is critical. After an initial warning, an independent support meeting will be conducted and failure to attend will result in discontinuation from the program.
How will the program ensure that it doesn’t overlap with existing senior design or capstone programs?
The unique focus of the program on robotics, openness to non-academic participants, and lack of specialized project requirements ensures that existing programs are complementary, not competitive. In fact, fellows could apply with their capstone project as their main focus as work. Fellows are provided with resources – enabling them to pursue any project, existing or otherwise – to ensure that the program can augment any builder’s success.
What specific events will be held for the fellows?
1x - Kickoff Gathering: Introduction to the program, facilities, and resources
3x - Special Guest Sessions: A monthly discussion with nationally-known experts in robotics, embedded systems, and automation
2x - Progress Presentations: Two opportunities for fellows to share their work and receive feedback from peers and mentors
2x - One-on-One Mentorship Sessions: Opportunities for one-on-one conversation between fellows and mentors to provide guidance and feedback
2x - Networking Events: Access to key industry professionals, potential employers, and other innovators within Nebraska’s Robotics Community.
1x - Showcase: A final public event where fellows discuss their progress with a wider audience, including industry partners and media