Medtronic Spark Scholarship 2027

Scholarship Details

Introduction

Applications are open for the Medtronic Spark Scholarship 2027, an educational funding programme administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE) with support from the Medtronic Foundation.

The scholarship aims to remove financial barriers for students from low-income households who want to pursue undergraduate degrees or career-focused credentials in health technology and related fields. In addition to financial assistance, the programme provides academic guidance, career development resources, mentorship and networking opportunities.

Eligible recipients may receive up to US$15,000 per year for study in the United States or US$10,000 per year for study outside the United States. Undergraduate degree awards may be renewed for up to four years, provided recipients continue to satisfy the programme’s requirements. Approved credential programmes receive one-time, non-renewable awards.

The scholarship is intended to cover eligible educational costs remaining after other financial assistance has been applied. It can help with tuition, fees, housing, food, books, supplies and required educational equipment.

However, the programme is not open to every student in every country. Applicants must be citizens or permanent legal residents of an eligible location and plan to study in that location, subject to the programme’s geographic rules. International students studying outside their country of citizenship or permanent residence are not eligible, except for the stated European Union freedom-of-movement provision.

Nigerian applicants should check the official list of eligible locations before applying. The programme’s global description does not mean that every country is eligible.

Scholarship Overview

• Scholarship name: Medtronic Spark Scholarship
• Scholarship cycle: 2027
• Administered by: Institute of International Education (IIE)
• Supporting organisation: Medtronic Foundation
• Eligible study areas: Health technology and related fields
• Funding in the United States: Up to US$15,000 per year
• Funding outside the United States: Up to US$10,000 per year
• Undergraduate degree awards: Potentially renewable for up to four years
• Credential programme awards: One-time, non-renewable awards
• Target applicants: Students from low-income households who demonstrate financial need
• Programme start window: June 2027 to April 2028
• Application deadline: 15 January 2027, at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Central Time
• Expected selection notification: May 2027
• Official scholarship page: https://www.iie.org/programs/medtronicsparkscholarship/

Benefits

1. Funding of up to US$15,000 per year

The Medtronic Spark Scholarship offers financial support based on where the recipient will study:

• United States: Up to US$15,000 per year.
• Outside the United States: Up to US$10,000 per year.

Undergraduate degree awards may be renewed for the duration of the degree, up to four years, if the recipient continues to meet the eligibility requirements.

Students undertaking eligible career-focused credential programmes receive one-time awards that are not renewable.

These are maximum award amounts, not guaranteed payments for every applicant. The amount awarded depends on the programme’s assessment and the recipient’s eligible remaining educational costs.

2. Assistance with educational expenses

The scholarship is designed to cover the remaining cost of education after other sources of financial assistance have been applied. These may include government grants, institutional aid and private scholarships.

Eligible expenses can include:

• Tuition and compulsory fees.
• Housing and food.
• Books and educational supplies.
• Equipment required for the programme.

Applicants should understand that the scholarship is intended to address remaining eligible educational costs rather than automatically provide the maximum amount to every recipient.

3. Additional emergency support

Recipients may have the opportunity to apply for additional student support funding for unexpected emergencies during the scholarship period.

Examples given by the programme include unexpected medical expenses, housing instability and transportation disruptions. Additional assistance is subject to the programme’s requirements and approval.

4. Academic guidance

Scholarship recipients participate in a virtual programme kick-off and receive check-ins with IIE academic advisers. This support helps students navigate their studies and scholarship requirements.

5. Mentorship and career development

Recipients can engage with Medtronic employees both virtually and in person through mentorship, career resources and other professional development opportunities.

These experiences are intended to help students build professional connections and prepare for careers in health technology.

6. Networking opportunities

The programme connects students with academic advisers and professionals working in health technology. This can help recipients learn about career pathways, develop professional skills and explore opportunities in their chosen fields.

How scholarship payments are made

Scholarship payments are normally made directly to the recipient’s academic institution. Payments directly to individuals may be considered only in exceptional circumstances and require approval from IIE and the Medtronic Foundation.

Eligibility

Applicants must satisfy the programme’s geographic, academic, financial and programme-specific requirements.

1. Citizenship and eligible study location

Applicants must be citizens or permanent legal residents of an eligible location and plan to study in that same location.

The scholarship is available internationally only in locations approved by the programme. Students in the European Union may study in another eligible EU country under the stated freedom-of-movement provision.

Important for Nigerian students: Do not assume that Nigerian citizenship alone makes you eligible. Check whether Nigeria is listed as an eligible study location and whether your intended institution and programme meet the requirements. If Nigeria is not eligible, studying in another country does not automatically make you eligible unless you meet that country’s citizenship or permanent-residency rules.

2. Field of study

Applicants must pursue a health technology major or related field at an accredited academic institution.

The programme does not cover every health-related course. Students pursuing clinical-practitioner careers are excluded, including applicants in:

• Pre-medicine.
• Nursing.
• Pre-pharmacy.
• Pre-veterinary studies.
• Occupational therapy.
• Physical therapy.
• Similar clinical-practitioner pathways.

Applicants should consult the official list of eligible health technology fields to confirm that their intended major qualifies.

3. Financial need

Applicants must demonstrate financial need to cover their educational expenses. Priority is given to students from low-income households.

The programme assesses household income and the applicant’s financial circumstances. Applicants should prepare acceptable documentation showing their household’s annual income for 2025.

4. Eligible academic programmes

The scholarship supports accredited undergraduate degree programmes and eligible career-focused credential programmes.

It does not cover postgraduate or advanced professional degrees, including:

• Master’s degrees.
• PhD programmes.
• MD and MBBS degrees.
• Médico Cirujano degrees.
• Other advanced degrees.

5. Requirements for undergraduate degree applicants

Undergraduate applicants must:

• Be enrolled in, or plan to enrol in, an eligible accredited undergraduate programme.
• Have an expected graduation year of 2029 or later.
• Demonstrate strong academic performance.
• Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, or the international equivalent.
• Plan to begin the eligible academic term between June 2027 and April 2028.

Applicants in the final year of a two-year or four-year undergraduate degree are not eligible under the published criteria.

You do not necessarily need to have received an admission offer when applying. However, selected recipients must provide proof of full-time enrolment and their complete financial aid package before scholarship funds can be released.

6. Requirements for credential programme applicants

Applicants pursuing eligible career-focused credential programmes must:

• Have completed high school or secondary education by the programme’s start date.
• Enrol in an eligible accredited credential programme.
• Begin the programme within the specified June 2027–April 2028 window.
• Upload a résumé or CV highlighting relevant experience.
• Demonstrate financial need.

Credential awards are one-time payments and are not renewable.

7. Medtronic employment restrictions

Current Medtronic employees are not eligible to receive the scholarship.

However, current and former Medtronic interns and dependants of Medtronic employees may apply if they meet all other requirements.

8. Programme start date

The eligible degree term or credential programme must begin no earlier than June 2027 and no later than April 2028.

The scholarship cannot be deferred. Applicants should ensure that their intended programme start date falls within this period.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the following information and documents before starting the online application.

1. Personal and contact information

Provide the personal details and contact information requested in the application.

2. Academic information

Prepare details of your institution, degree or credential programme, major, GPA and other relevant academic information.

3. Household income information

Applicants must provide information about their household income and demonstrate financial need.

4. Three essay responses

The application requires three essay responses covering:

• Commitment to Health Tech: Explain your interest in health technology and your commitment to the field.
• Alignment with Medtronic Leadership Values: Respond to two essay prompts about the organisation’s leadership values.

Your responses should reflect your own experiences, motivations and goals. The programme specifically emphasises authenticity and does not accept AI-generated content submitted without meaningful personal input.

5. Academic transcript for undergraduate applicants

Undergraduate degree applicants must upload their most recent or current academic transcript from their institution.

6. Résumé or CV for credential applicants

Applicants for credential programmes must upload a résumé highlighting their relevant experience.

7. Short introductory video

Applicants must submit a short video introducing themselves. The video must be no longer than 90 seconds.

8. Financial documentation

Applicants must provide documentation showing their household’s 2025 annual income and demonstrating financial need.

Bank statements are not accepted as financial documentation for this requirement. Applicants must remove or redact sensitive information before uploading their documents.

Examples of acceptable income documentation listed by the programme include:

• United States: W-2 form.
• Canada: Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notice of Assessment.
• Brazil: Certificado de Receita.
• Japan: Payslip.
• India: Income Tax Return Acknowledgment Form.
• South Africa: ITR12 tax return.

These examples illustrate the types of documents used in different countries. Applicants should check the programme’s guidance for the acceptable equivalent documentation in their eligible location.

9. Citizenship or permanent-residency documentation

If selected as a finalist, applicants must provide proof of citizenship or legal permanent residency in the country where they intend to study.

Examples listed by the programme include:

• United States: Passport or Permanent Resident Card.
• Ireland: Residence permit with Stamp 5.
• Mexico: Acta de Nacimiento.
• South Korea: National ID card.
• Philippines: Identification Certificate (IC).

These examples are not an exhaustive list. Applicants must provide the appropriate document for their own eligible location.

10. Required acknowledgements

All applicants must agree to the programme’s:

• Privacy statement.
• Communications release.
• Social media acknowledgement.
• Participation statement.

Selected recipients must also agree to the scholarship’s terms and conditions.

Deadline

The deadline for the Medtronic Spark Scholarship 2027 is:

15 January 2027, at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Central Time.

The official application page lists the following timeline:

• Late October 2026: Online application opens.
• 15 January 2027: Application submission deadline.
• May 2027: Applicants are notified whether or not they have been selected.

Only applications completed by the deadline will be reviewed. Because the programme is competitive, submitting an application does not guarantee an award.

How to Apply

Step 1: Check the official eligibility requirements

Visit the Medtronic Spark Scholarship website and review the eligible locations, health technology fields, income requirements and programme criteria.

Official website: https://www.iie.org/programs/medtronicsparkscholarship/

Confirm that your citizenship or permanent-residency status and intended study location meet the rules before proceeding.

Step 2: Confirm that your programme qualifies

Check that you are pursuing an eligible undergraduate degree or credential programme at an accredited institution.

Undergraduate applicants must have an expected graduation year of 2029 or later and meet the minimum GPA requirement. Credential applicants must have completed secondary education by the programme’s start date.

Step 3: Gather your application information

Prepare your personal and contact details, academic information, household income information and the documents relevant to your programme type.

Undergraduate applicants need their current academic transcript, while credential applicants need a résumé or CV.

Step 4: Prepare the three essay responses

Write your response about your commitment to health technology and answer the two prompts concerning Medtronic’s leadership values.

Use specific examples from your own experiences. The organisation prohibits plagiarism, falsification and AI-generated responses that lack meaningful personal input or misrepresent the applicant’s experience.

Step 5: Prepare your introductory video

Record a short video introducing yourself. Keep it within the maximum duration of 90 seconds.

Step 6: Upload your financial documentation

Provide acceptable evidence of your household’s 2025 annual income and financial need. Do not upload bank statements for this requirement, and redact sensitive information before submitting your documents.

Step 7: Complete and submit the online application

Review the application, complete all required fields and upload the relevant documents.

Applications are available in the following languages:

English, Arabic, Chinese, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish and Turkish.

Submit your completed application by 15 January 2027 at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Central Time.

Step 8: Wait for the selection outcome

Applicants are expected to receive notifications in May 2027.

Selection is based on academic achievement, household income, achievement and potential in health technology, and demonstrated creative problem-solving and resilience.

If selected, you must provide the required proof of enrolment and citizenship or permanent residency by the date specified in your award letter. Failure to provide the documents may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate candidate.

Selection Criteria and Important Rules

The scholarship committee evaluates applications using four main criteria:

1. Academic achievement: Your academic performance and ability to succeed in the chosen programme.
2. Household income: Your financial circumstances and demonstrated need.
3. Health technology achievement and potential: Your interests, experience and potential contribution to the field.
4. Creative problem-solving and resilience: Evidence of how you approach challenges and respond to difficulties.

Applicants must provide truthful information throughout the application process. Falsifying or plagiarising any part of the application results in automatic disqualification.

Submitting AI-generated content without meaningful personal input or misrepresenting your experiences using AI tools is also unacceptable. The programme values authenticity and expects applicants to reflect their own voices and experiences.

Only completed applications submitted by the deadline will be reviewed.

Conclusion

The Medtronic Spark Scholarship 2027 offers substantial financial assistance and career development support to eligible students pursuing health technology degrees and career-focused credentials.

With awards of up to US$15,000 per year in the United States and US$10,000 per year outside the United States, the programme can help eligible recipients manage tuition and other educational expenses while connecting them with mentors and professional resources.

The most important first step is to confirm that your country, residency status and intended programme qualify. Applicants should then prepare their essays, academic records, introductory video and financial documentation well before the 15 January 2027 deadline.

Application Link

Eligibility requirements: https://www.iie.org/programs/medtronicsparkscholarship/eligibility

Application instructions: https://www.iie.org/programs/medtronicsparkscholarship/application

Programme enquiries: medtronicsparkscholarship@iie.org

Deadline: 15 January 2027.