Thiel Fellowship Program Invites Applications From Young Entrepreneurs – “20 under 20”

Thiel Fellowship Program Invites Applications From Young Entrepreneurs

Silicon Valley entrepreneur Peter Thiel has announced that his Thiel Foundation is accepting applications for a new class of “20 Under 20” Thiel Fellows.

Thiel Fellowships provide two-year grants of $100,000 to twenty people under 20 years of age so that they can leave the classroom and pursue innovation.

Since the Thiel Fellowship began in 2011, more than sixty young people have been awarded fellowships for project ideas in fields ranging from nuclear and alternative energy, to robotics and biotechnology, to finance, 3-D printing, gaming, and software.

During the two-year fellowship, the Thiel Foundation and its network of mentors provide guidance and support to help fellows build their scientific, technical, and entrepreneurial ideas. While fellows are expected to work on their innovative ideas full-time, they determine their own specific paths; this might mean starting a company but could also mean doing freelance work, developing a social movement, interning at another company, or pursuing research and development independently.

Although applicants may already have an idea for a scientific, technical, or nonprofit innovation, Thiel Fellowships are not limited to those with established companies or developed innovations. Teams of up to four may also apply.

To be eligible, candidates must be 19 years old or younger as of December 31. Candidates from around the world are encouraged to apply.

Fellows are encouraged to move to the San Francisco Bay Area for the opportunities and resources that the area provides. However, fellows are welcome to work on their projects from any location. Fellows are asked to take two years off from college so that they can fully focus on their projects without the time and expense of college.

Complete program guidelines, application procedures, and information on previous fellows’ projects are available at the Thiel Fellowship Web site.

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

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