Apply to the Catalyst Fellowship

Start with your Expression of Interest

The Expression of Interest is where you start your application. We will answer any questions you might have, and you will be immediately emailed an invitation to complete the application. We also encourage you to register for the July 15 Info Session below.

Who should join

While we expect candidates to have some identified area of expertise, we do not specify that area, nor do we expect candidates to be deeply familiar with the research/innovation priorities. Through our process, Fellows working in teams learn from one another, gain from hearing the perspective of others (even those who are not expert), and sometimes Fellows have to unlearn (or set aside) what they know about a problem to open the door to observations and, ultimately, innovation.

Faculty serving as mentors will help guide you through the Catalyst process, which involves cycles of convergent and divergent thinking, trial and error, iteration, progress, reassessment, creativity, critical thinking, and more iteration. Although seldom a linear path, it is always an exciting one for those who are ready for a journey from insight to impact. You and your teammates will ultimately decide which projects to move forward. Applicants don’t need to know a lot about entrepreneurship or innovation.

Common attributes of successful Fellows
  • Ability to apply logic and critically analyze and synthesize a broad range of source materials
  • Ability to differentiate between validated facts and not-yet-validated assumptions, and to ideate a process to validate assumptions
  • Willingness to work outside their field of expertise
  • Ability to communicate ideas and collaborate with others with different expertise and experience
  • Ability to design, create and build new technologies to solve critical problems
  • Willingness to “own” your career and your project (rather than depending on direct supervision)
  • Ability to receive and synthesize constructive criticism
  • A team player willing to fulfill different roles in research projects
  • Experience in developing and implementing research proposals
  • Be willing to work in a process that is chaotic, creative and free of pre-conceived ideas or pathways

The Catalyst Program is aligned with MIT’s Values Statement in our commitment to making our community a humane and welcoming place where people from a diverse range of backgrounds can grow and thrive. Because learning is nourished by a diversity of views, we cherish free expression, debate, and dialogue in pursuit of truth – and we commit to using these tools with respect for each other and our community.

Catalyst aims to address equity and intersectionality in biomedical research and innovation in healthcare. Race, ethnicity, age, and sex can impact how different people respond to the same intervention. Diversity of thought and perspectives through the lens of a participant’s background contributes to an enhanced learning experience, improved research and development, and overall better medical interventions.

Our community challenges ourselves to face difficult facts, speak plainly about failings in our systems, and work to overcome them. Valuing potential over pedigree, we know that talent and good ideas can come from anywhere – and we value one another’s contributions in every role.

If you’re interested in Catalyst but a Fellow role is not right for you, there are other ways to participate. Indeed, Catalyst depends on input and participation from a wide range of individuals, and in various capacities to reach our goals. Roles include (but aren’t limited to): serving as a subject matter expert, reviewing interim work by Fellows, professional development advising, teaching workshops, making connections, allowing shadowing experiences, access to labs or data, longitudinal mentoring, and curriculum development. If you’re interested in participating in Catalyst in one of these roles, please complete the short survey linked below.

Catalyst participation survey
German Gonzales presenting at the M+Visíon Showcase in Madrid

“Before Catalyst I knew how to develop technology. Now I know the steps needed to have impact.”
Germán González Serrano, PhD, Catalyst Fellow alumnus

See the Fellows’ projects

Program details

Join a dynamic, team-based research initiative with the potential for multi-year engagement.

Begin your journey with a focused engagement of 10–15 hours per week from January through mid-July. During this phase, teams meet weekly online and participate in periodic multi-day, in-person “intensifications” that accelerate collaboration and progress.

Catalyst is a program located in the United States. We anticipate that Fellows will be physically present in the US from January to July 2027. Note that we do not provide sponsorship for visas.

January–early July 2027:

  • January 4, 2027: First meeting
  • Availability to meet during program schedule
    • Weekly sessions: Wednesdays 10:00am – 1:00pm ET
    • Weekly discussion groups: Mondays 10:00am – 11:00am ET
    • Three 3-day working sessions in person at MIT: January 19–21, March 9–11, and May 4–6.
  • June 30, 2027: Final session
  • Compatibility with current job, training, or activity
  • As appropriate, approval of your supervisor
  • See FAQs for more details

Beyond July

This is more than a short-term experience. Pending project proposal approval in July 2027, teams may continue into a multi-year, Fellow-led research phase—an exciting opportunity to advance innovation from concept to impact alongside committed peers and expert mentors.

Practically speaking, the time required will continue to be at least 10-15 hours per week, but many Fellows have found ways to devote more time than that to accelerate their progress. Again, no a priori commitment is expected, but if you are certain that it would be impossible to go beyond the initial six month period, consider holding off your application until there is some possibility of continuing. Feel free to reach out to us to discuss your situation.

Cost

Thanks to the generosity of our donors and partners, this program does not require individuals to pay tuition.

Start your application

Start with your Expression of Interest

Information session webinar

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FAQs

Want to learn more? We have detailed answers to frequently asked questions.

Read the FAQs

Still more questions? Email us at catalyst-program@mit.edu

As an engineer, you have honed your problem-solving skills and have a deep understanding of technology. The biomedical field is ripe with opportunities for individuals like yourself to apply your expertise and make a profound impact on the lives of patients and providers. The Catalyst Program offers an exceptional platform to harness your talents and channel them towards addressing the most pressing challenges in healthcare today.