Equitech Futures Institute
An 8-week program for current undergraduates from all disciplines who want to learn how to use cutting-edge technology tools in data science and artificial intelligence to tackle societal challenges.
June 15 - August 7, 2026
Global, cohort-based online learning
Fully funded: No tuition cost
Why joIn
Are you interested in building the future of technology?
Whether you want to become an entrepreneur, advocate for public policy, or work in the technology sector, the Equitech Futures Institute provides you with the skills, perspectives, and community necessary to accelerate your ambitions and launch your career.
Interdisciplinary Learning
Expose yourself to varied perspectives and lenses through instruction in data science, analytical reasoning, and public communication
Individualised Mentorship
Interact directly and in-depth with faculty and peers with cohort strength capped at 25 students
Embrace Diversity
Learn alongside peers from diverse disciplines, cultures, and geographies
Launch your Career
Hit the ground running by acquiring highly relevant and transferrable skills
Curriculum
What you’ll learn
To tackle today’s complex societal challenges, innovators must go beyond technical skills — they need to understand problems deeply, apply knowledge practically, and communicate complex ideas clearly. The Equitech Futures Institute develops these critical abilities through a focus on data-driven problem-solving, critical reasoning, and empathetic yet effective communication.
Applied Artificial Intelligence
Acquire a functional understanding of how to apply AI tools in various domains
Unlike many courses that focus on developing AI algorithms, we will focus on how to deploy AI algorithms and the potential and risks associated with them. Covered topics will include:
Introduction to Supervised Learning
Building AI Blueprints and Datafication
Applications in healthcare and education
Applications in climate and environmental science
Why It Matters
Whether you want to launch a startup, lead a nonprofit, work in policy, or pursue academic research, this will help cultivate an "AI architect mindset" that goes beyond understanding the mechanics behind algorithms. By the end, you will learn how to identify good (and problematic) use-cases for AI and be well-placed to create new companies, nonprofits, or policies using these novel tools.
Communicating Innovation
Learn to effectively communicate complex ideas
Strong leaders are effective communicators. They articulate visions for the future and motivate teams by fostering trust and engagement. Leaders also document their visions in writing, extending the life of a thought in ways that can be clarified, referenced, and shared. This course invites each scholar to hone their narrative as a future innovator. We will practice the range of storytelling, process, and feedback that position thoughtful leaders for success.
Foundations of voice, in speech and writing
Refine public communications to stand out
Build your personal narrative
Navigating differences and find common ground
Why It Matters
To be impactful data-savvy leaders, you need to clearly communicate your ideas in diverse professional settings. This course will teach you to be an impactful communicator.
Entrepreneurship Lab
Ideas in Motion: Build, Test, Launch
This lab provides you with a practical understanding of how to apply entrepreneurial tools to bring ideas to life. Unlike many courses that focus on business theory or case studies, we will focus on how to actually build and validate ventures through hands-on experimentation and user-centric design. Whether you want to launch a startup, join an early-stage company, or innovate within an existing organization, this will help cultivate a "builder's mindset" that goes beyond understanding business fundamentals. Covered topics will include:
Customer discovery
Rapid prototyping and user testing
Business Model Design
Go-to-Market Strategy
Why It Matters
By the end, you will learn how to identify promising opportunities and be well-placed to create and scale ventures using iterative development methods.
Societal and Ethical Perspectives on Technology
Consider the bigger picture
The goal of these discussion-based seminars is to help you navigate vital themes at the intersection of technology and society. These seminars will give you the opportunity to hear from and interact with practitioners and experts working across a variety of fields.
Public Trust in STEM
Gender and Technology
The Politics and Governance of Automation
Planetary Health
Intellectual Property Rights
Humans in the Loop, a journalist's perspective
Why It Matters
The seminars will help you explore the social implications of technological tools and the ethical implications of your work as innovators. You will learn to think deeply about a problem, inhabit multiple viewpoints, and analyze arguments across a range of source material.
Eligibility
Who can apply
This program is for ambitious and curious undergraduates from any academic background who are motivated to apply technology towards solving urgent real-world problems.
Currently enrolled as an undergraduate
Any discipline or major
Max. 25 years of age
on June 15, 2026
Able to commit 20-25 hours per week
over 8 weeks of instruction
All backgrounds
Underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply
How the program works
Learn by doing
Small cohorts (25 students maximum)
Direct mentorship & discussion-based learning
Project-based learning
Solve real-world problems using AI & data
Live, interactive online classes
No pre-recorded lectures
Timezone-friendly scheduling
Classes run from 13:00 - 16:00 UTC
Alumni impact
Discover Alumni Success Stories
Our alumni have gone on to land top internships, fellowships, and jobs in AI, policy, and entrepreneurship.
After the program
Career & Community Support
At the conclusion of each program term, graduates are entitled to a Certificate of Completion and are welcomed to join the Equitech Scholars 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:
Career mentorship & recommendation letters
Faculty support for internships, fellowships and job applications
Ongoing education & Leadership Labs
Monthly discussions with top leaders in AI, policy, and academia
Global alumni retreats & in-person gatherings
Curated retreats, interdisciplinary collaborations, and community-building events around the world
Exclusive access to research & job opportunities
Alumni get first access to Equitech-led fellowships, research projects, and career placements
Teachers & mentors
Learn from world-class Faculty
Our faculty are leaders in data science, public policy, law, and civic innovation. We are committed to small-cohort, hands-on teaching that ensures every student gets individual mentorship.
Tuition & financial aid
$9,500
Full Scholarship
Thanks to the generous support of our philanthropic partners, every admitted scholar receives a full scholarship to make the program more accessible to global talent.
What’s Included?
8 weeks of instruction.
Mentorship and career-support for one year on successful completion.
Access to ongoing Equitech Futures Alumni Network programming.
Timeline
Applications & Selection
Applications for the 2026 edition of the Equitech Futures Institute will open on March 15, 2026. The applications will include both a written and a video component. If you have any questions, please write to info@equitechfutures.com.
April 15, 2026
Written applications due
Early May 2026
Faculty interviews with finalists
May 22, 2026
Final admission decisions
Eligibility & Applications
I'm currently enrolled in a Non-STEM undergraduate program, can I still apply?
Yes. We accept applications from students across disciplines. An educational background in STEM is not required.
My undergraduate degree will end in May 2026. Am I still eligible?
Yes, you are eligible for the Equitech Futures Institute if you are pursuing your undergraduate degree at the time the application for this program opens.
I have had low grades in my bachelor's. Is there a minimum grade requirement?
We do not consider GPAs or grades in the application process. We are looking for people who are curious, analytical, persistent, and open-minded when confronted with challenging problems.
How much does the program cost?
With generous support from our philanthropic partners, we are providing full tuition waivers for each student admitted to the Equitech Futures Institute.
Who should apply?
We welcome currently enrolled undergraduate students under the age of 25 who are interested in using data science and applied AI to tackle societal challenges.
Learning Experience
I've done online learning before. How is this program different?
Massive Online Open Courses (MOOC) are generally asynchronous offerings that allow you to go at your own pace but without customization. That flexibility comes with less accountability. However, small cohort-based classes at Equitech Futures ensure that you learn through live discussions with a talented group of peers. Learning with others, and being able to speak directly to instructors as you do, will make a difference at how much you are able to take in.
What is the format of classes?
Coursework in the Scholars program is evenly weighted between Applied Artificial Intelligence, Communicating Innovation, Societal Perspectives in Technology, and Entrepreneurship Lab. Each course meets for 3 hours each week in live, synchronous, cohort-based online classes.
What are the class timings? Can we get recorded lectures instead?
Equitech Futures prides itself on its model of live lectures and peer-discussions, as well as scheduled 1:1 office hours with the faculty members. To make the same possible, we calibrate for waking hours in a way that our sessions take place in the mornings in the Americas, afternoon sessions in Europe and Africa, and evening sessions in Asia. We generally schedule our classes between 13:00-16:00 UTC (Universal Time Coordinated). We strongly suggest that you keep these time commitments in mind while applying to the EFI. Recorded lectures cannot be used as a substitute for regular classes.
What technology platforms are used?
Our live classes and special seminars are accessed via Zoom. Individual coaching sessions with faculty, social encounters, and study groups are held on our course-related Discord server.
Commitment & Completion
What are the attendance requirements for completing the course?
We expect students to be present for a minimum of 80% of the classes. If a student cannot meet the attendance requirement, they will not be eligible for graduation, and will be removed from the program.
What happens if I begin but cannot complete the course?
Our cohort is small and we receive significantly more applications than we have the capacity to serve. We expect our incoming cohort to consider their own participation seriously because accepting a place closes the opportunity for another student. For this reason, if a student begins but does not complete the program for any reason other than a health emergency, we will be unable to attest to their participation or to accept an application for any other program in the future.
Will I receive a certificate for completing the course?
Yes, we provide a completion certificate contingent on attendance record and final project submissions.
