Build Something Real.

The Nicol Internship is open to all Carleton University students in good standing, regardless of faculty, degree level, or venture type. Whether you're in engineering, business, arts, science or any other program, you're welcome.

No. You only need an early-stage venture idea that you want to explore. No validation, customers, or testing is required at the entry stage. Openness and curiosity are the entry conditions.

No specific technical or business background is required. Students from all disciplines can contribute. Many opportunity areas are about identifying problems and testing solutions, not building complex technology.

No. The Nicol Internship is not a pitch competition, accelerator or incubator for fully formed companies. It's a disciplined, evidence-based pathway where progression is earned through demonstrated customer-validated outcomes, not enthusiasm or polished pitches.

You progress through 4 states: Self-Directed Learner, Internship Applicant, Nicol Intern, and Early Growth Venture. Each transition requires evidence that meets clearly defined markers. Advancement is self-directed and based on real customer interactions, not time spent or content consumed.

The three domains are Agentic Systems (AI that takes initiative), Supply Chain Management (making complex logistics simpler) and Quantum-Safe Cryptography (preparing for post-quantum security). You don't need to be an expert in any of these -- the focus is on identifying problems and testing solutions.

Yes. Progress is paced by student activity, not milestones set by the program. You move forward when you produce the required evidence, whether that takes weeks or months.

The Nicol Internship pays $8,000 total -- $4,000 per term for 2 terms. This is funded by the Wesley M. Nicol Foundation and the Catalyst Fund.

No. Internships are an outcome of readiness, not the starting point. You must progress through the pathway and demonstrate evidence at each marker. There is no guarantee of funding, internships, or venture success.

Yes. Mentors are assigned to Nicol Interns (State 3) who have passed the New Venture Marker. Mentors provide hands-on advisory support, help with product development and connect you with external advisors. Note that mentors do not serve as investors, board members, or customers.

You'll need: personal information (name, faculty, student ID, Carleton email), business information (if applicable), written responses of 200-300 words each on your business description, challenges and opportunities and use of funds, plus concrete expected deliverables.

Strong applications demonstrate evidence of customer validation, a clearly defined problem, and deliverables that are specific, measurable and time-bound. The team evaluates progress based on application of resources and quality of evidence, not polished presentations.

Contact the program team for current application timelines and access details. The application form is available through the program portal.

That is completely expected. Most students begin by accessing curated learning resources on Brightspace. Start there, work through the material at your own pace and apply when you have evidence of a validated problem and customer engagement. The program is designed to meet you where you are.

The program is not a substitute for coursework or academic programs. It's a complementary pathway for students who want to explore building real ventures alongside their studies.

That's part of the process. Early progress is often messy, uncertain and small in scale. What matters is whether your learning is real, documented and cumulative. The pathway is designed to help you test and learn, not just succeed on the first try.

The Nicol Interns & Ventures program is funded by the Wesley M. Nicol Foundation and the Catalyst Fund, supporting student entrepreneurs across all Carleton faculties.