Empowering the Next Generation of Academic Innovators
A unique fellowship opportunity to advance the development and commercialization of impact-driven University of Hawaii technologies and gain entrepreneurship skills and business fluency.
TARGETS

PARTICIPANTS
- PhD candidates
- Postdoctoral researchers

PARTNERS
- Faculty research labs
- UH-affiliated technology companies
BENEFITS

EDUCATION
- IP & Commercialization training
- Professional development workshops

GUIDANCE
- IP protection, technology marketing, licensing and pathways to commercialization
- Mentorship to assess market potential and commercial viability

RESOURCES
- 1-year of funding
- Opportunities for network building and collaboration to continue technology development
FAQs
Complete the online application.
Interested in learning more? Sign up here.
Note: Postdocs and PhD students must apply with a Principal Investigator.
Applications for our 2025 Cohort will open early spring and the program will kick-off in the summer. Join our mailing list, follow us on social media (@innovationuh), or register here.
Any project being submitted for P2P must have disclosed the innovation to the OIC. If you have not disclosed your technology yet, submit your disclosure via the Inventor Portal (UH login required) or reach out to oic@hawaii.edu with any questions. Disclosures can be submitted to the OIC up to the application deadline, but don’t wait – get started now!
We invite any University of Hawai’i graduate student or postdoc interested in gaining an entrepreneurial education and exploring commercialization pathways for their innovation to apply for the program.
P2P Fellows are expected to:
- Attend and actively participate in program activities. Our syllabus adjusts to fit the needs of each cohort, but our curriculum emphasizes four early-stage commercialization pillars of intellectual property, communication skills, customer discovery, and product development. Fellows will participate in a four-week regional NSF I-Corps program as part of the program.
- Work with your project’s Principal Investigator to continue research efforts to advance the commercialization potential of the innovation.
- Engage in regular update meetings with Office of Innovation and Commercialization staff to discuss progress, challenges, and solutions to overcoming roadblocks.
In addition to working with their Principal Investigator to develop their innovation, Fellows are expected to commit time for the following:
- Monthly two-hour programming sessions.
- Regular meetings with the OIC to discuss technology updates.
- Meetings with their mentors/advisors.
- Networking events.
- Four-week regional NSF I-Corps program with the Desert and Pacific Region Hub.
Any University of Hawai’i faculty or researcher who disclosed their innovation to the OIC may be a Principal Investigator. Initiating the disclosure process is easy – please email oic@hawaii.edu to begin the process.
Principal Investigators are expected to:
- Recruit the P2P Fellow to assist with developing their innovation.
- Supervise the P2P Fellow’s research efforts and encourage continued progress towards commercialization of the innovation.
- Advise and mentor the P2P Fellow.
- Provide updates on the innovation’s progress.
- Attend networking events when relevant.
The Patents2Products program support provides customized entrepreneurial programming to support Fellow professional development, and may include:
- Salary support for the P2P Fellow
- Funding for research materials and supplies
**funding support may vary
patents2products@hawaii.edu
(808) 956-9024
Office of Innovation and Commercialization
2425 Campus Road Sinclair 10
Honolulu, HI 96822