Fellowship · Fall 2026 cohort

Youth Innovation Fellowship.

Applications open · Sept 1 – Oct 20

The HeartWise Youth Innovation Fellowship equips young people with the knowledge, mentorship, and practical skills to turn their ideas into meaningful solutions for youth heart health. Through expert-led workshops, collaboration, and hands-on project development, fellows create an original health innovation and present it to healthcare professionals and community leaders at the final HeartWise Summit.

Apply now See the 8 weeks

8 weeks: Oct 25 – Dec 13, 2026
Sundays: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
SFU Surrey: In person
8 fellows: Maximum cohort
Free: Plus a $300 grant for the winner
Dec 20: The HeartWise Summit

Sessions are at SFU’s Surrey campus, a short walk from Surrey Central Station. We’ll share the classroom closer to the date.

Is this for you?

High-school students who want to build something.

You’re eligible if…

You’re a high-school student.
You can attend every Sunday session in person at SFU’s Surrey campus from October 25 to December 13, plus the Summit on December 20.
Under 18? We’ll ask for a parent or guardian contact on the form — that’s all.

You get…

A chance to win a $300 grant for your project or your studies, awarded to the Summit’s winning project.
Eight expert-led workshops, mentorship, and a real deadline for an idea that’s genuinely yours.
A certificate of completion, volunteer hours, and a reference letter on request.
The experience of presenting to a cardiac surgeon, a nurse, and a medical student at the Summit.

The 8 weeks

How the cohort unfolds.

Eight Sunday workshops, then the Summit. Pick a week.

Week 1 · Sunday Oct 25

Welcome & heart-health foundations

Meet HeartWise and the fellowship goals, then ground yourself in basic heart anatomy and function, cardiovascular health, prevention, screening, stress, and lifestyle factors.

Applications · Sept 1 – Oct 20, 2026

Apply to the fall cohort.

Eight spots, first come, first served. We reply to every application by email.

Apply below

Three short questions plus the basics — about ten minutes.

We review as applications arrive

You hear back by email. Spots are offered first come, first served until the eight are filled; later applicants join a waitlist.

The cohort begins October 25

Eight fellows, one Sunday morning a week, one Summit.

About you

Full name *

Email *

Age *

What school are you currently studying at? *

Your answers

Why does youth heart health matter to you — and what would you want to change or build if you could? *

A few honest sentences is plenty — aim for under 150 words.

Tell us about something you’ve started, built, organized, or worked hard at — in or out of school. What did you do, and what happened? *

A few honest sentences is plenty — aim for under 150 words.

Tell us about a moment or experience that shaped who you are. *

A few honest sentences is plenty — aim for under 150 words.

Logistics

I can attend the weekly Sunday sessions (10:30–12:30) in Surrey from October 25 to December 13, and the HeartWise Summit on December 20. *

Resume link (optional)

A link to a resume on Google Drive or similar — completely optional.

Dietary restrictions (optional)

Sessions include snacks, and the Summit has refreshments.

Is there anything else we should know about you? (optional)

Details & FAQ

The fine print, one tap away.

What does a session look like?

Two hours on a Sunday morning: short lectures, worksheets, games, snacks, and mentor time. Guest speakers working across healthcare and research join during the program.

What happens at the HeartWise Summit?

Every fellow presents their project to the judges. The winning project takes home a $300 grant toward the project or the fellow’s studies. Every fellow receives a certificate, and there are light refreshments for everyone.

Do I need an idea or a medical background?

No. We select for motivation, not a perfect résumé. You pick the youth heart-health problem that matters to you — a campaign, a tool, a piece of research — and build it with mentor feedback.

Is there a cost?

No. The Fellowship is free, snacks are included, and the Summit has refreshments. Tell us about dietary restrictions on the form.

What if the eight spots fill before October 20?

Applications are reviewed as they arrive and spots are offered first come, first served. Once the cohort is full, later applicants join a waitlist and we let you know by email.

I’m under 18 — can I apply?

Yes. Because sessions are in person, we ask for a parent or guardian name and contact on the application.

Help power this cohort.

Volunteer as a guest speaker, sponsor the Summit, or bring the Fellowship to students in your network.

Partner with HeartWise Get in touch