I-Stem Fellowship Program
A six-week virtual fellowship for high-potential university students with disabilities to build career-ready skills, receive mentorship from industry professionals, and prepare for meaningful corporate careers.
Applications close August 15, 2026 · Average completion time: 15 minutes
Batch size: 20 Fellows
20+ Industry Mentors
5000+ Community Members
Corporate supporters
About the fellowship program
People with disabilities continue to face unequal access to academic and professional opportunities in high-growth industries, with little support, community, or mentorship to help close that gap.
I-Stem created the Employment Readiness Fellowship to change that: highlighting the abilities of people with disabilities and giving high-potential talent the support they need to break into competitive corporate careers.
Who it’s for: university students with disabilities, visible or invisible, aiming for careers in engineering, management, finance, law, and related professional fields.
What participants gain: 1:1 mentoring with an I-Stem core team member and an industry professional, exclusive opportunities, and a community of exceptional fellows over six weeks of structured support.
Why apply
Industry Mentorship
Learn from 20+ professionals at leading companies including Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, and other global organisations.
Career Readiness
Develop technical, professional, and interview skills through personalised coaching and mentorship.
Corporate Exposure
Connect with hiring partners, attend exclusive events, and expand your professional network.
What fellows receive
A structured mix of coaching, mentorship, training, interview preparation, community, and partner access designed around each fellow’s goals.
Career Coaching
Every fellow receives individualized career coaching to identify the skills they need. An I-Stem core team member develops a plan with the fellow and continues 1:1 mentorship for up to a year beyond the six-week fellowship, alongside a paired industry mentor.
Training & Certifications
Based on each fellow’s goals, I-Stem recommends relevant training and certification programs. In some cases, fellows are financially supported to complete these programs.
Industry Mentorship
I-Stem fellows join the broader I-Stem community, where they can network with other members, including successful professionals in industry. Fellows also join a dedicated fellows community that receives exclusive invitations to special events and opportunities.
Interview Preparation
I-Stem provides an interview preparation package to help fellows prepare for technical interviews and conducts mock interviews to give them a feel for actual interview settings.
Partner Events
Fellows receive a fully funded trip to the Inclusive Stem Confluence, our flagship partner event, including learning and networking opportunities with corporate partners and successful professionals with and without disabilities across industries.
Corporate Connections
I-Stem works closely with several corporate partners, some of whom are actively engaged in the fellowship program. While placement cannot be guaranteed, the team works with each fellow to help them find suitable roles and make connections as required. Corporate mentors may also help advocate for fellows within their organisations when there is a match.
Previous fellows
Joined New York–based startup Supademo during the fellowship as a Product Operations Associate and was later promoted to Product Operations Specialist.
Vimal Kumar
After the fellowship, Himanshu joined Google as a Software Engineering Intern and now works as a Software Engineer at Google India.
Himanshu Jindal
After the fellowship, Akshay joined Infosys Consulting as a Consultant, where he works in the Capital Markets domain.
Akshay Shete
Selection process
Step 1
AI-powered application and screening
Step 2
Online interview with the I-Stem team (shortlisted candidates)
Step 3
Fellowship offer and onboarding
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged.
Timeline
Applications open
Now – August 15, 2026
Shortlisted interviews
August 17–30, 2026
Fellowship begins
September 14, 2026
Fellowship at a glance
Duration
6 weeks
Format
Completely virtual
Weekly commitment
15–20 hours
Batch size
20 fellows
Travel support
Inclusive Stem Confluence travel funded
Cost
Free
Frequently asked questions
Applications are now open
We typically receive over 200 applications for 20 fellowship spots. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so applying early improves your chances of being considered before the cohort is filled.
Applications close August 15, 2026 · Average completion time: 15 minutes