European Innovation Academy
The European Innovation Academy (EIA) is a 3-week startup program in Porto, Portugal, where you form a team with students from other universities to develop a product in a startup environment.
Whether you come with your own idea or apply without one, you have the flexibility to either choose a team with a concept that inspires you or persuade others to join your own company. You will collaborate with students from universities around the world and receive weekly guidance from 75+ mentors from companies like Google, TikTok, and Microsoft. Throughout the program, you will have the chance to network with Silicon Valley professionals, gain valuable insights into entrepreneurship, and pitch your project to investors, venture capitalists, and an audience of over 1,000.
Final Application Deadline: January 13, 2024, at 11:59 PM
Program Fee: $3,340
Info Sessions: Recording/Slides, YouTube
Applications for the 2025 European Innovation Academy are open!
Qualified applications received by the Initial Placement Deadline (IPD) will be evaluated among a smaller pool of candidates and are more likely to receive priority placement. While this makes IPD applicants initially more competitive, it does not guarantee placement in a preferred location for all IPD applicants, as projects are limited, and individual skills are taken into account. Please note that stronger candidates who miss the IPD are still very much encouraged to apply up to the Final Application Deadline in January! Updates on project locations that have reached their capacity will be posted on the website.
- Final Application Deadline: Monday, January 13, 2025, at 11:59 pm
- Application Fee: Paid Online at Time of Application Submission
- Deposit Due: Two Weeks after Notification of Acceptance
- Final Payment Due: Friday, January 24, 2025 at 11:59 pm
- OIA Fees: Posted to Statement of Account in Spring Semester
Do you have...?
- GPA of 2.75 or greater - Freshmen and first-semester transfer students must have at least a 3.0 at the end of the Autumn term in order to be considered for the program.
- English Language Proficiency - TOEFL Score of 90 or above preferred for international students.
- Good Standing with the Office of Student Conduct
- Enrolled OSU student status throughout the duration of the program - This program is not available to graduating seniors.
- Valid Passport - A passport is not required for application, but you must have a passport at the time of the visa application for departure, whichever comes first.
- To apply or renew your passport, go to travel.state.gov.
All program participants...
- Meet OIA's General Eligibility Requirements and Conditions for Participation
- Meet OGB Code of Conduct and Participation Policy
The following links are provided as reference when considering education abroad programs:
- OSU Health and Safety
- OSU International Accident and Sickness Insurance
- OSU Travel to Risk Designated Countries: Any student traveling to study, conduct research or field work, or participate in a service learning project or an international program in a risk-designated country must petition the International Travel Policy Committee (ITPC) for approval. More information is provided on the linked website. For further information on the policy and/or the petition process, please contact Kirsten Dabelko, Global Health and Safety Manager (dabelko.4@osu.edu).
External Resources
- U.S. State Department - Travel Information
- Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Conditions for Global Program Participation
You must meet all entry, exit, and visa requirements of your global education program destination, any countries while in transit, and the U.S. upon return, including but not limited to possessing a valid passport, obtaining the appropriate visa (if applicable), and providing proof of any required vaccinations (if applicable) and/or any testing requirements and other protocols (if applicable). Entry, exit, and visa requirements are established by each individual country and the Office of International Affairs, The Ohio State University and its visa provider, TraVisa, have no control over visa denials, immigration and visa regulations, and/or any changes in the Embassies/Consulates’ policies. Please refer to travel.state.gov and the respective Embassy or Consulate websites for the most up to date travel information.
If you're still not sure whether EIA is the program for you...
- Read more about specific consulting project locations on the OIA website by searching for "European Innovation Academy" (with double quotes) in the Program Name field.
- Submit a Student Interest Form to ensure your questions are answered, and our office can update you on important deadlines.
- Attend an Information Session to learn more about the program and hear from past participants.
- Read more about the OSU Cancellation Policy.
Applications will open on August 20, 2024.
- The Application Fee of $150 is refundable if an applicant is denied from the program, withdraws prior to the Final Deadline, or the program is cancelled.
- Incomplete applications will not be considered!
- There are four parts of the application including a questionnaire, resume, advising report, and video submission.
- Upload the video to buckeyemailosu-my.sharepoint.com, and paste the shareable link in the field below. Instructions on how to obtain a shareable link. Confirm that “People with the Link” is selected when you enable the shareable link. If “People with the Link” is not selected, our office will be unable to view your video submission.
Program Fees
The program fee covers housing, shared accommodations, the placement, in-country activities, program orientation, and transfer between the airport and housing. It does not cover costs associated with meals or transportation in-city. Airfare will NOT be included. Students accepted into the program will be responsible for their own airfare.
- Deposit ($1000 non-refundable):
- Due 2 weeks after acceptance email is received
- Program Fee ($3430 - $1000 deposit):
- Due Friday, January 24, 2025
- OIA Fees (variable based on program length):
- OIA Admin Fee ($50)
- OIA Study Abroad Fee / International Accident and Sickness Insurance
- Posted to your Statement of Account in Spring term
International Students
CPT paperwork is typically required for all international students (see FAQ section below) to complete a global internship. For summer global internships, international students are also required to enroll in the 0.5 credit-hour BA 2191.02 course to maintain student eligibility. Enrollment in this summer course will also require payment of any tuition fees. View a list of tuition fees.
- Fisher Global Grant and Fisher Passport Scholarship available through the Office of Global Business
- Global Education Scholarships available through the College of Engineering and Knowlton School of Architecture
- Career Accelerator Fund available through the College of Arts & Sciences
- Spring Competition for Global Education Scholarships available through the Office of International Affairs
- Second-year Transformational Experience Program funds can be written into a STEP Signature Project proposal for FGI! STEP is available to second-years currently enrolled in STEP and third-years who completed STEP but have yet to use their funds.
Check the Office of International Affairs for more information on OSU, State, and National/Global Scholarships.
- Language Courses
- QUIC Certification (Fisher only)
- Resume Resources
- Please review the Fisher Resume Guide that outlines the qualities of a great resume. This guide provides a comprehensive guide on formatting, verbiage, and strategies to highlight relevant experiences.
- Resume Help (Fisher): It is recommended that all student resumes be evaluated by the Office of Career Management. You can bring a printed copy of your resume to be reviewed during. Fisher's Office of Career Management Peer Career Coaches Hours
- Resume Help (Non-Fisher): For those students outside of Fisher, there are college specific resources like the Engineering Career Services for engineering students, Arts & Sciences Career Success for Arts & Sciences students, and Buckeye Careers, who provide career coaching and resume assistance to all Ohio State students.
- Involvement with Student Organizations
- Participation in Case Competitions
Q: "What is the difference between the initial placement deadline and the final deadline?"
A: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis after the initial placement deadline (IPD). The IPD allows students to be considered for all locations they list as preferences in their application. Team slots will begin to fill in each project location after the IPD. Students who apply later will have fewer project options. Applications will no longer be considered after the final deadline.
Q: "When will I receive a decision letter?"
A: Some students can expect an application decision about four weeks after the IPD, but all students will receive an application decision by the final decision date in the end of January.
Q: "What if I don’t speak the native language of the country I want to go to?"
A: No language other than English is required for any location, but having some skill in the local language will make students more competitive to be selected for the project team.
Q: "Do I self-enroll in the second session spring semester course?"
A: No, the Office of Global Business will automatically enroll after your acceptance into the program.
Q: "Am I able to pay the program fee in installments?"
A: No, your deposit is due two weeks from your acceptance letter. However, your final program fee is due by the date listed in your acceptance letter or by the final payment due date listed on the website (whichever one is later). The final payment due date is listed on the website when applications open in August. This is so students who are serious about committing to the program can begin preparing for finances early on. If you are accepted and committed to the program early, the payment portal will allow you to make payments in installments. However, you must complete your final installment by the final payment due date listed on the website.
Q: "Am I able to pay the program fee with money from a 529 account?"
A: Yes, payment with a 529 account is accepted and must be done via check through the following steps:
On the envelope, please note the recipient as Anthony Kozlowski using the address and information below:
Anthony Kozlowski
Fisher Shared Services
2100 Neil Avenue - 100 Fisher Hall
Columbus, OH 43210- On the check itself, please include the following information:
- Payable to: The Ohio State University
- Memo: [Ohio State name.#, Program Name, Location]