Student Programs

I’m new to this and only have an idea. Am I qualified to apply?
Yes! We accept students as early as just an idea on a napkin to a functioning early product or service. This stage of development would be relevant for Spark or the Summer Incubator.

Do I need a team to participate in the program?
No, we accept solo entrepreneurs. While the program is in-session, we provide several opportunities for participants to connect with potential collaborators – like the Mix & Match Night.

My idea is advanced and/or I’ve already raised significant money. Can you still help me?
Yes! We’re here to build community and connect you to our campus and alumni network. We encourage you to consider Fuel or the Social Innovation Lab for your endeavor.

I already graduated, can I still apply?
These programs are for current students. However, if your team is composed of both alumni and current students, your current students are eligible. We do offer several funding and ad-hoc programs that are open to alumni, and this is an area where we are continuing to expand offerings, so stay tuned!

I have two ventures that I am working on. Can I apply with both?
We recommend that you apply for the venture that you plan to devote more time and energy to. Additionally, you can only receive the stipend for one venture. You are welcome to use and apply the knowledge gained from the accelerator to additional ventures.

If I am not accepted to participate this cycle, can I re-apply in the future?
Yes, in fact, this is encouraged! We want to support all student teams, and we work with many teams each year to help them prepare for future selection cycles.

I am a student at Johns Hopkins, but my co-founder is not. Am I still eligible to apply?
Yes, if one co-founder, with a significant equity stake, is a current student, your venture is eligible to participate in Pava Center programming.

What is Kindling?
Our pre-accelerator is designed to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit in students who are eager to start their own ventures but are unsure where to begin. This program targets those in the earliest stages of venture development, providing them with the guidance and structure needed to turn their ideas into reality.

What is the level of commitment?

• Spark: Students should plan to spend an estimated average 10 hours per week on Spark related activities. This includes the following: attending one-hour Mastermind Sessions, biweekly office hours, reading course curriculum and completing assigned worksheets.
• Fuel: Participants should expect to spend a minimum of 10 hours per week for Fuel. This includes one two-hour evening session, and a lunch-time session for 90 minutes. Teams will also be expected to meet with their assigned strategic advisors at least every other week while workshopping their pitch and other venture materials.

Are the accelerators in-person or virtual?

• Spark: Sessions will be virtual with in-person opportunities in the fall, and fully in-person in the spring. All Spark participants living in Baltimore are expected to attend the in-person Fuel Showcase.
• Fuel: The fall Fuel cohort is in-person. Venture leads must be in Baltimore to participate. To accommodate students who are not living in Baltimore, the spring semester cohort will run virtually, with an in-person showcase in May.

How will I be supported throughout this program?

• Spark: Pava Center’s staff and student Strategic Advisors will be hands-on throughout these experiences. Towards the midpoint of Spark, participating students will be introduced to one of our industry mentors to support needs specific to your venture’s growth.
• Fuel: Fuel teams meet with a minimum of three outside industry mentors over the course of the program, in addition to weekly meetings with staff and Strategic advisors.

What does the application process entail?

• First, you need to complete an application.
• Spark: Applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions based solely on the strength/relevance of the application.
• Fuel: Applicants be invited to interview with the Pava Center team, if the application is a good fit for the accelerator.
• Ventures that are not invited to interview will receive information on other opportunities that are more suitable for in our effort to support all student teams. Teams who interview will receive next steps after their interviews.

If I am not accepted to Fuel, can I apply/participate in Spark?
Yes, throughout the last few application cycles, several teams have been accepted to the Spark program and have found the program to be a very productive step in their entrepreneurial journey.

How competitive are the accelerators?

• Fuel: Accepts up to 10 teams per semester. It is competitive; historically, less than 25% of applicants are selected.
• Spark: Accepts over 40 teams teams a semester and is competitive, but not as selective as Fuel.

Where do I go if I have additional questions?
Contact the Pava Center for Entrepreneurship at pavacenter@jhu.edu and we will be happy to help you.

What is the level of commitment?

Participants will be expected to work at least 20 hours a week in person, every day (Monday to Friday) at the Pava Center 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be one Tuesday evening (6-8 p.m.) with required programming and the date will be shared in advance.

Closures:

• Monday, May 25, 2026 (Memorial Day)
• Friday, June 19, 2025 (Juneteenth)

Is this program offered in-person or virtual?

Fully in-person, for six weeks. Workshops, mentorship meetings, field trips, and more included.

Are there housing options?

Participants are responsible for lining up their own housing arrangement, which they can use their grant stipend to support.

Who is eligible to participate?

• Johns Hopkins student innovators with an idea, venture, or technology
• Recent graduates (including May 2026) are not eligible, unless you are enrolled in another program in the fall (i.e. 5th year Masters).
• There is no flexibility on the hours of 10 a.m.-2 p.m. If you cannot attend during these times due to jobs, classes, vacations, etc., you will not be considered for this program.
• Only one member per team will be accepted, however, we encourage coworking from additional team members, should they be local.
• We welcome attendance at workshops and events from other team members, if capacity allows.

How will I be supported throughout this program?

Teams meet with at least two mentors over the summer.

What does the application process entail?

• First, you need to complete an application.
• Applicants will be invited to interview, if they are a good fit and demonstrate their willingness to commit to the full details of the program.
• Ventures that are not invited to interview will receive information on other opportunities that are more suitable for our effort to support all student teams. Teams who interview will receive next steps after their interviews.

How competitive is the Summer Incubator?

This program accepts up to 20 students and is competitive. Students who can fully commit to the experience, without conflicts, are privileged.

How much is the program stipend?

• $4,500, paid out in two portions

• This equates to nearly $40/hour to work on your own venture. (average of 20 hours per week)

Where do I go if I have additional questions?
Contact the Pava Center for Entrepreneurship at pavacenter@jhu.edu and we will be happy to help you.

Includes both the I&E Challenge and PVF award recipients.

All awards include:

• Co-working space at Pava Center
• Direct support for next steps with the venture (pro-bono services, mentorship connections, and much more)
• Engagement with Summer Incubator program (including attending two or more events between May – July)
• Monthly online “coffee hour” networking meetings with the other recipients from the I&E cohort, starting August
• Monthly 1x1s with Pava Center staff and select mentors