The Fellowship

Make the Most of Your Summer Internship

The DeRocco Fellowship is designed to supercharge your summer work experience in manufacturing — with mentorship, community, leadership development, and a national conference.

Apply Now How It Works
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Your Summer, Supercharged

As a DeRocco Fellow, your summer work experience will be supported with four core
elements — each designed to accelerate your growth as a leader in manufacturing.

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Professional Development

  • Learn from national experts about honing your negotiation skills, dealing with imposter syndrome, building your professional network, making the most of mentorship, and more
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Community

  • Join a lifelong network of extraordinary peers and supporters
  • Connection, collaboration, and
    a sense of belonging well past
    the summer
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Mentorship

  • 1:1 match with a senior leader in advanced manufacturing
  • Personal support, career
    advice, and encouragement
    throughout the Fellowship and
    beyond
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National Conference

  • Workshop built around a major national manufacturing conference each year
  • Connect in-person with peers, participate in a national conference, engage with leaders in manufacturing
  • 2027 Location TBA
  • 2026: HI-TEC Conference, Austin TX
  • 2025: Manufacturing Momentum, Detroit MI
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  • Applications for the 2027 DeRocco Fellowship are now open.

    Apply Now

  • Know a future leader in manufacturing? Encourage her to apply.

Who Should Apply

Who’s Eligible to Apply?

The DeRocco Fellowship is designed for women enrolled in a post-secondary program who are interested in a career in advanced manufacturing.

Ideal applicants are those who:

  • Are employed or placed in a summer internship
  • Are currently enrolled in a post-secondary program or have completed a program within the past two years
  • Have completed at least one full semester of post-secondary education
  • Are interested in pursuing a leadership career in manufacturing

Applicants should also be willing and able to:

  • Participate actively in mentorship, virtual workshops, and the in-person experience
  • Commit approximately 3–5 hours per month during the fellowship
  • Engage professionally with mentors, peers, and program staff
  • Attend a 2-day in-person workshop
Learn More About Eligibility Apply Now

At a Glance

Who

Women in post-secondary education with a summer internship in manufacturing or adjacent fields

Time Commitment

~3–5 hours/month + 2-day in-person workshop. All taking place in June, July, and August

Workshop Date & Location

2027 TBA
2026 – HI-TEC, Austin, TX
2025 – Manufacturing Momentum Conference, Detroit MI

Cost to Fellows

Free — all activities and travel are fully covered

Cohort Size

12 to 15 Fellows

Program Timeline

How the 2027 Fellowship Unfolds

From application to alumni, here's what the DeRocco Fellows journey looks like.

  1. Winter 2026

    Applications Open

    Submit your application online. The process includes a written application, submitting a short video essay, and a structured interview for finalists.

    Action Required

  2. Spring 2027

    Fellows Selected & Notified

    12 Fellows are selected through a competitive review. Accepted Fellows are notified and matched with their mentors.

  3. May – June 2027

    Fellowship Begins — Mentorship & Workshops Start

    Fellows begin their summer internships. Virtual leadership workshops begin, and regular 1:1 mentor meetings get underway.

  4. June – July 2027

    In-Person Fellows Workshop

    Fellows travel for two days of professional development, peer connection, and participation in a national manufacturing conference. Travel is fully covered.

  5. August 2027

    Fellowship Concludes

    The formal fellowship period wraps up as summer internships end. Fellows are celebrated and welcomed into the DeRocco Fellows alumni community.

  6. Ongoing

    Alumni Community & Continued Engagement

    Fellows remain part of the DeRocco Fellows network — connecting with peers, mentoring future cohorts, and engaging in professional opportunities as they grow.

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Ready to Take the Next Step?

Applications for the 2027 cohort are open. Join 12 extraordinary women who will spend their summer building skills, connections, and confidence in advanced manufacturing.

Start Your Application

Questions? Email info@deroccofellows.org

FAQs

Still Have Questions?

We’ve answered the most common ones here. If yours isn’t covered, reach out directly — we’d love to hear from you.

Reach out

 Prior manufacturing experience is not required.  But your summer work experience should be manufacturing related or adjacent and you should have an interest in exploring a career in manufacturing. 

DeRocco Fellows are not paid outside of what they are paid by their employer for their internship work experience.  However, all travel costs, hotel, and meal expenses related to participating in the in-person workshop will be covered by DeRocco Fellowship.

 That’s ok as long as your work experience is adjacent to manufacturing and you have an interest in exploring a career in the field.