Today, we are launching a new Fellowship program to support students with an aptitude for entrepreneurship and leadership. We believe that shaping the next generation of changemakers, innovators and entrepreneurs is key to Canada’s economic success. Sheldon Levy, our Honorary Chair and former Ryerson University President, witnessed the explosion of innovative and entrepreneurial talent among students during his time here at Ryerson.
We believe it is essential to support and empower young people to help them develop the skills they need to thrive in Canada’s rapidly changing future of work.
This is why we’ve decided to support the Sheldon and Tracy Levy Aspiring Innovators Fellows Program, a collaboration between BII+E and Ryerson University’s Zone Learning Network.
In honour of Sheldon and Tracy Levy’s contributions to the expansion and development of Ryerson University over the last decade, the university is establishing an award that:
- Provides opportunities for students from modest financial backgrounds who might otherwise be prevented from pursuing entrepreneurship;
- Enables students to lever Ryerson’s Zone Learning Network and become exposed to entrepreneurial concepts through programs such as Basecamp;
- Invests in students with the potential to become future innovators
We are excited to support this award financially and welcome applications from students with a demonstrated aptitude for entrepreneurship. The Levy Fellows Program will fund five Fellows $5,000 each and provide them with access to the Basecamp program, an opportunity for lunch with Sheldon and Tracy Levy as well as VIP engagements and alumni activities through the Zone Learning Network.
In order to be considered for the Fellowship, students will need to be nominated by Ryerson faculty, staff or Zone leaders. Nominations are now open for undergraduate students with clear academic standing and will close on Friday, March 24, 2017.
Funding for this program comes from a portion of the initial $16 million donation from Jack Cockwell and the Brookfield Partners Foundation. With five Fellows per year receiving $5,000 and the program set to run for ten years, we have invested $250,000 into this program.
For more details on the Fellowship or how to nominate a student, please visit the Sheldon and Tracy Levy Aspiring Innovators Fellows Program page.