Tory Burch Innovation Scholars at NYU Gallatin

The Tory Burch Innovation Scholars at the Gallatin School of Individualized Study is a program that blends project-based, entrepreneurial work with leadership training. Through direct funding and mentorship, we aim to support work that empowers women, particularly in areas of need of gender diversity. Scholars receive funding, grant application support, and career mentorship, as well as becoming part of a supportive network of scholars, entrepreneurs, artists, and educators. 

The Burch Innovation Scholars program seeks to fund projects in a growth stage, for example, a class project that you are hoping to move beyond the classroom, a small business looking to upscale, or a micro-local organization planning to expand. We are especially interested in students working in entrepreneurship, non-profits, design, fashion, science, and technology, but projects need not be business ventures or research projects specifically. Each fellow will receive a $1,000 seed grant in the fall semester with the option to apply for up to $4,000 in second-round funding in the following spring.

The Burch Scholars program runs January-May, with applications open the previous fall.

Call for Applications: 2024-2025 Scholars

 The fellowship is open to all Gallatin undergraduate and graduate students in good standing.
We seek to fund the growth of projects that empower women or contribute to gender diversity. 

Fellows will be expected to attend weekly mentorship meetings and semi-monthly group meetings in Spring 2025 focusing on project design, seeking funding, career networking opportunities, and alumni mentorship (times and dates TBA), as well as a full-day summit (details will be forthcoming).

 Interested? To apply, send the following application materials to Dr. Janet E. Gomez, Senior Director of Experiential Learning  (jeg387@nyu.edu) by November 15:

  • Project description (no more than 1000 words)
    The description must include:

    • Goals: both the semester-end goal and an indication of the planned wider impact. (ie, not just what the project entails, but the reach it may have beyond Gallatin. Will it seed a new venture? Connect to wider efforts? Create a lasting archive?)
    • An argument for why it fits this scholarship (how does it empower women or contribute to gender diversity?  
    • 1-3 similar projects that serve as a model or inspiration for your project.  
    • Names and roles of project collaborators/mentors (if applicable). Although not required, given the short timeline, we strongly prefer projects that have a team already in place. If you do not yet have a team and know that you do need one, provide a list of the roles and responsibilities of the team you plan to recruit.

  • Project timeline, in chart or bullet point format, demonstrating a plan to get from current state to final work by May 2025. Timeline should be as detailed as possible, including weekly, biweekly, or monthly targets and goals, but should not be in a narrative format. 
  • Resume
  • Unofficial NYU transcript

  • Letter of recommendation from someone who can speak to your ability to work on a project (should be sent directly from the recommender to Dr. Janet E. Gomez, Senior Director of Experiential Learning, jeg387@nyu.edu.

Browse Prior Scholar Profiles