The Stanford Biodesign Innovation Fellowship is a full-time 12-month program designed to develop the skills and knowledge required to innovate and implement new biomedical technologies. Postgraduate students in the fields of science, medicine or engineering are encouraged to apply for the grant.

Beginning each Sept. 1, the fellows immerse themselves in an assigned clinical subspeciality -- this year it’s neurology -- in which they identify 300 unmet medical needs. During their time together, the fellows brainstorm to prioritize and pick several of the needs to explore further.

Fellows are trained in needs finding, brainstorming, strategic planning, reimbursement, patent development and assessing clinical market potential. The process includes extensive interaction with faculty mentors and other professionals in the medical technology community.

In addition, the program provides the opportunity to shadow local biotech executives and for summer internships with the Food and Drug Administration.

More information and to see an online application (which has an extended deadline of Feb. 15), visit the Biodesign Innovation Web site at http://innovation.stanford.edu/.