Equitech Scholars
Overview
Bringing together emerging innovators to Build the Future
The Equitech Scholars Program is our flagship opportunity for current undergraduates who want to learn how to use cutting-edge technology tools in data science and artificial intelligence to tackle societal challenges. This eight-week, fully-funded program will invite you to explore these topics with a lively, tight-knit community of peers and mentors. Whether you want to become an entrepreneur, advocate for public policy, or work in the technology sector, the Equitech Scholars Program provides you with the skills, perspectives, and community necessary to accelerate your ambitions and launch your career.
Why join
this program ?
Individualized mentorship
We offer live, virtual, project-based courses delivered in small cohorts capped at 25 students. All our classes are built on close interactions between faculty and peers.
Interdisciplinary learning
Our goal is to provide you with varied perspectives and lenses that will help you make the biggest impact on your chosen career path. We believe integrative instruction in data science, analytical reasoning, and public communication is critical to building an equitable future.
Make your impact
Science, technology, and society do not exist in isolation. By working together with peers across disciplines and with respect for cultural and geographic differences, you will deepen the potential for your ideas.
“I wanted a space where I could learn the technical aspects of data science and AI and figure out how to apply these tools to real-world problems. Equitech Futures was the perfect fit.”
—
Montse Madrigal, United States
What’s inside
The Curriculum
To tackle complex societal challenges in the 21st century, aspiring innovators need to be more than just good students, scientists, programmers, and researchers.
- They need to understand a problem, not simply identify it.
- They need to apply what they learn, not simply digest it.
- They need to communicate complex knowledge, not simply consume it.
The Equitech Scholars program is designed to develop the valuable habits and capacities of data-driven problem-solving, critical reasoning, technological empathy, and effective communication that are essential for innovation.
What you’ll learn
Foundations of Data Science and Programming
Applied Artificial Intelligence
Speaking Lab
Writing Lab
Societal and Ethical Perspectives on Technology
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“Equitech Futures helped me build solid foundations in applied data science which have helped me on projects in multiple sectors. What makes them special is the support of faculty and community that extends well beyond the course duration.”
—
Ritvik Sharma, India
We believe transformative innovators transcend disciplines and are not defined by test scores. Our ideal applicants are creative problem-solvers in the social sector who are highly motivated and persistent in the face of challenges. We want people who welcome collaborative spaces, who wear their talent with humility, who take responsibility for their own learning and growth, and who want to use their talents in the service of other people.
Eligibility Criteria
Three criteria for eligibility are:
→ Applicants need to be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program.
→ Applicants must be no older than 25 years of age on July 1, 2023.
→ Available to commit 20-25 hours per week over 8 weeks of instruction.
We welcome applicants from all academic, professional, geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We particularly encourage women and individuals from underrepresented communities to apply for the Equitech Scholars Program.
Selection Process
The application cycle for the 2023 cohort closed on April 15, 2023.
→ Finalists in 2023 will interview with faculty the week of May 15, 2023
→ Admission decisions for the 2023 cohort will be made by May 26, 2023
→ Written applications for the 2024 cohort will open March 15, 2024
Faculty
Our faculty are leaders in their respective fields, comprising domain expertise in data science, programming, artificial intelligence, public policy, oral communication, and writing. Most of all, they are jointly committed to the craft of teaching. Our courses are designed for small cohorts of 25 students or fewer, ensuring that you will have bountiful opportunities to connect with our accomplished faculty in class and in individualized coachings.
“Equitech Futures has allowed me to claim my space as a woman in STEM. It has taught me to use my empathy and emotions with analytical skills to tackle societal challenges I’m passionate about.”
—
Anna Upreti, India
Community
Creating a lifelong community of ambitious minds
At the conclusion of each program term, graduates are entitled to a Certificate of Completion and are welcomed to join the Equitech Alumni Network. This cross-cohort community of talented young innovators share opportunities, collaborate on shared research, and inspire one another. A few of the privileges of alumni status include:
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Continuing Education
Alumni from the Equitech Scholars Program are invited to monthly Leadership Labs with leading practitioners in tech and academia where open dialogue is encouraged. The network also supports career preparedness with workshops and mentorship opportunities.
Career Support
The Equitech Scholars curriculum provides excellent training for future careers in entrepreneurship, academia, or the social sector. Our goal is to provide you with varied perspectives and lenses to help you lead you to a career pathway that is best for you. Faculty have written letters of recommendation for alumni who make exemplary strides in their coursework.
Regional Gatherings
While our instruction is exclusively online and accessible worldwide, we invest in opportunities for alumni to gather IRL during curated weekend retreats in different regions of the world. These events join our cohorts for interdisciplinary collaboration, networking, and shared research.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition for the Equitech Scholars Program is US $7600 and includes:
- Eight weeks of instruction
- Career support for participants throughout 2023-2024
- Access to ongoing Equitech Alumni Network programming
With generous support from our philanthropic partners, we are providing full tuition waivers for each student admitted to the Equitech Scholars Program.
Funded
"The Equitech Scholars community has given me a new sense of purpose. I am very excited to pursue new projects and collaborations with my fellow scholars and I’m very grateful to Equitech Futures for bringing this unique global community together.”
—
Daniella Kim, Philippines
Frequently Asked Questions
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Through seminars, you will learn to think about science and technology solutions through an ethical and societal lens. Through the writing and communication labs, you will learn how to present ideas clearly and effectively both through writing and public speaking.
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