ORONO — The University of Maine Foster Center for Innovation seeks Maine students and companies to participate in the 2022 Innovate for Maine Fellows internship program; applications are available.

Innovate for Maine connects the best and brightest Maine college students with Maine’s most exciting growing companies for paid, meaningful, hands-on internship experiences, according to a news release from UMaine News. The program is looking for student fellows to join the 2022 cohort, and a variety of for-profit companies developing innovative products, services or processes to host them.

Emphasizing innovation and entrepreneurship, Innovate for Maine prepares student fellows to collaborate with companies on projects that accelerate company growth. Innovation projects can include work on new products or services, process improvements, market research, prototyping, and sales forecasting.

“Over the past two years, Maine businesses have faced incredible adversity,” said Renee Kelly, UMaine assistant vice president for innovation and economic development, according to the release. “Finding talented employees is even more challenging now. Innovate for Maine introduces companies to new talent and helps students see their future opportunities in Maine’s workforce.”

Eligible students include those enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs at any college or university in Maine, as well as Maine residents enrolled in degree programs at colleges or universities outside the state.

Host companies can range from small startups to major corporations. Fellows can work full or part time during the summer, with the possibility of continuing part time during the academic year.

Trained innovation experts guide and mentor both the fellow and the company for the duration of the internship. UMaine recruits, screens, matches, hires and trains fellows to work on projects for companies selected to participate in the program.

Since Innovate for Maine Fellows was established in 2012, student participants have gained exposure to innovative Maine companies and built strong networks that help them find opportunities to stay in Maine. A recent survey of Innovate for Maine Fellows alumni revealed that 70% of respondents were living in Maine and another 10% live outside of Maine, but plan to return as their careers progress. Nearly 20% of program alumni have started their own companies.

The application deadline for both students and companies is Monday, March 7.

To apply or learn more about Innovate for Maine Fellows, visit umaine.edu/innovateformaine.