MRSD Project Sponsorship

Interested in having Master’s-level robotics-trained student teams work on a technology/product prototype for your company?

The Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University is seeking technology-based companies to submit project ideas to the MRSD Program for student teams to work on over a 2-semester period in project/business-courses. To view examples of past projects, visit this page and browse the Project Course entries in the left navigation pane!

Why do it?

  • Educational value to both the students and the participating company
  • You never know what might come out of it!

Support

Industrial sponsors pay $15K/student, up to a maximum of $60K/project. A reduced rate is available for companies with less than $10M annual revenue.

  • Optional: Critical equipment loan(s) or donation(s) to the project team

How To Get Started

If sponsorship interests you and your company/organization, you are encouraged to submit a document summarizing an interesting project, application, or technical capability for your company. This document should include:

  • Project Title
  • Project Description: Describe an application using robotic technology to launch or enhance a new/existing product. Provide at least several sentences that describe the nature of the project, including why it is needed/important and what challenges it poses.
  • Preferred and/or Required Skills: Could be skills like design, mechanical, electronics, algorithms, mathematical background/techniques, programming, etc.
  • Project Goals: Describe your desired outcome(s). The specific requirements and milestone timeline will be determined by the student teams as part of their systems engineering process.

Involvement

  • Designate a Company (Co.) Point of Contact (PoC) for student-team interactions
  • Co.-PoC(s) welcome to view final presentation & read/comment on final report

Agreements

To proceed with the sponsorship of a capstone course project, Carnegie Mellon and the project sponsor will enter into the “Carnegie Mellon University Educational Project Agreement.” This Agreement sets out the terms for the sponsorship of the capstone project between the sponsor and Carnegie Mellon. Any negotiations of terms will be discussed with CMU’s Office of Sponsored Programs. In addition, each student will sign a Participation Agreement that clearly informs the student of his/her rights and obligations throughout the course of the project.

Intellectual Property

Carnegie Mellon University is a non-profit organization. It is Carnegie Mellon’s policy that the students retain any and all intellectual property that they develop in their work on this capstone course.

Notes

  • No proprietary or competition-sensitive company information should be exchanged
  • Donations/gifts to the program may be tax-deductible
For more information, contact Dr. John M. Dolan, or download the 3-page sponsorship overview PDF.