What is Studio Y?

Studio Y is a fully-funded fellowship for young people 18-29 focused on learning, innovation, and leadership based out of the MaRS Discovery District in Toronto, Canada’s largest innovation hub. Each year, Studio Y invites 25 young people to participate in the full-time, 8-month Fellowship.

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to:

• Develop your personal portfolio by working on real-world challenges with partners from across, business, government and society
• Build networks with peers, mentors, coaches, and industry leaders
• Learn critical 21st century skills you need to solve complex problems
• Pursue your own innovative ideas for bold change in society
• Receive a $20,000 stipend to cover the costs of living and access up to $5,000 in transition funding upon successful completion of the program

How will you spend your time?

The Fellowship is a full-time, 40-hour/week commitment. The Cohort III Fellowship will run from September 2015 through May 2016.

Your main activities during the Fellowship will be:

• Partner Challenges – You’ll partner up with real-world organizations to solve the pressing issues facing their business or community.
• Innovation Projects – In teams or individually, Fellows build their creative and leadership muscles through their own self-directed, yearlong work that creates value and builds on their interests and experience.
• Reflection & Storytelling – You will also come together to tell stories of your progress to stakeholders, give and receive feedback, and make meaning from your successes, failures, and lessons learned.

Throughout the program, your days and weeks will also include a mix of:

• Content & Curriculum: You’ll learn new skills – such as how to create a system map, build a prototype, or design a workshop.
• Coaching: You’ll meet with faculty and mentors to troubleshoot problems emerging from your projects.
• Feedback & Staff Support: You’ll receive feedback and coaching on your performance from a staff team that knows you well.
• Service & Community: You’ll build community within and outside the Studio. We’ll give our skills, time, and resources in the service of others.
• Fireside Chats: You’ll be part of intimate discussions with community leaders from across the province when they stop by the Studio for a Fireside Chat.

Who are we looking for?

We're less concerned about your CV and more concerned about your:

• Head: Do you constantly spot frustrating problems in the way things work? Do people think of you as a source of curiosity and creativity – a fresh perspective on possible solutions? Do you ask big questions and imagine bold ways to challenge the status quo? Are you unsatisfied with a shy, less risky path that doesn’t ask “what if”?
• Heart: Does your character speak to a strong emotional intelligence, empathy, and grit? Are you deeply motivated and committed to making the most of this opportunity, now and into the future?
• Hands: Are you committed to a lifetime of doing the hard work? Do you move toward making and building the solutions, the new knowledge, and direct impact on others’ lives?

Who is eligible?

• You are aged 18 to 29 (as of February 1, 2015)
• You are a resident of Ontario
• You are legally entitled to work in Canada
• You are available to participate in Champions’ Retreat (May 1-3, 2015)
• You are available full-time for the duration of the eight-month program (September 8, 2015 – May 9, 2016)
• You have sufficient English fluency to participate in and contribute to the program

Sound like you? Learn more about the program and apply on our website. Applications open February 9 and close March 16, 2015.

Apply here