Rise-Up program
Patents2Products
What is Patents2Products?
Patents2Products (P2P) is a year-round fellowship program that supports selected graduate students and postdocs to broaden their skillset, learn innovation and entrepreneurship practices, and develop the tools needed to bring their research from the lab and classroom to the public. Under the direction of their faculty advisors and with the support of the RISE-UP team, fellows work collaboratively with industry partners and engage with their state’s entrepreneurship ecosystems, helping to transform innovative ideas and intellectual property, including those developed at URI, into successful ventures. P2P offers a fully funded position for research entrepreneurs in training who aspire to build successful startups. The curriculum for the program is tailored to the fellow’s area of research and experience in relation to the startup opportunity.
P2P seeks motivated individuals with strong scientific, technical, and entrepreneurial backgrounds. The program emphasizes translational research and commercialization, providing a structured framework that leads to practical outcomes in product development.
Fellows will require a faculty sponsor and will select one of two possible tracks.
Track 1 - Lab
For P2P Fellows that wish to work in lab research groups with existing institutional intellectual property currently in product-development.
Fellows that do not have a developed business model or minimum viable product are encouraged to select this track.
Track 2 - Industry
P2P Fellows in product development that wish to work on research assignments to build entrepreneurial skills with support from real-world, URI-affiliated entrepreneurs and companies will select Track 2 – Industry.
The outcome of Track 2 is focused on the translation of early-stage technologies to high-growth companies.
Business & Tech Training
Intellectual Property Modules
Technology Transfer Proficiency
Lean Startup Workshops
Business Development Training
Research Mentorship
Funding & Stipend
Fully Funded Supplies & Equipment
Lab Facilities & Working Spaces
Long-term Funding & Venture opportunities
Networking & Mentorship
Ongoing Coaching
Corporate Partners & Advisors
R&D collaboration opportunities
Application Process
Step 1
Submit a Full Application
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume and LinkedIn Profile
- Personal Statement
- Reference Letters (see application for requirements)
- Unofficial Transcript
- Research Proposal (up to 3 pages, template provided in application)
Step 2
Selection Review
- The RISE-UP Selection Team reviews applications. After the review process, each applicant is informed if their application has been accepted, not accepted, or given provisional acceptance.
Step 3
Next Steps
- Accepted applicants receive an offer letter and onboarding to RISE-UP
- Provisional acceptance applicants must interview with the Selection Team
- Applicants who were not accepted can reach out for more information if interested in learning about other RISE-UP programs and/or how to strengthen their P2P application for future consideration.
If you have questions about the program, please reach out to: riseupri@urirf.org
