UMass students work together at a chalkboard

Innovation and Entrepreneurship Residential Academic Program

Residential Academic Programs, or RAPs, are communities of first-year students who live in the same residence hall and enroll in shared courses.


Open To
Freshman students of any major

Where
Webster Hall (Orchard Hill Residential Area) 

Application Deadline
Applications open in May for incoming first-year students

Required Course(s)
Intro to Resource Economics and a spring seminar

Benefits

Exclusive networking opportunities, workshops, boot camps, and events

Membership to the Berthiaume Center Incubator Space and UMass Amherst Makerspace

Mentoring and support from the campus entrepreneurial community

Access to resources across all colleges, regardless of major

Participation in pitch and showcase events, with presentations at the end of your first year

Students in Business Foundations Class

Innovation and Entrepreneurship Living and Learning Community

Living and Learning Communities, or LLCs, are intentional communities where students with an interest in a particular topic live in the same residence hall. Unlike RAPs, LLCs do not include coursework.


Open To
Sophomore, junior, and senior students of any major 

Where
Field Hall (Orchard Hill Residential Area)

Application Deadline
Applications open during fall room selection 

Required Course(s)
None

Benefits

VIP access to boot camps, the UMass Amherst Makerspace, and the Berthiaume Center Incubator Space

Mentorship from Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIRs)

Participation in ULaunch and other competitions

Support and advising for the INNOVATE Certificate, Riccio College of Engineering capstone project, and Integrated Concentration in STEM (iCons) program

Any Questions?

Our university-wide network of innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity advisors and mentors is here to help you grow your ideas—whether you’re exploring a new interest or preparing to launch. Reach out to find support, guidance, and opportunities to get started.