Overview
Partnered courses often require resources beyond those available in a traditional studio course. Materials, prototype fabrication, transportation, exhibitions, software, and other project-specific needs can create additional costs that support a richer educational experience for students and more meaningful engagement with external partners.
The Design + Innovation Hub works with faculty and external partners to identify these needs and coordinate appropriate financial or in-kind support. Faculty are not expected to develop budgets or negotiate funding with partners. Instead, faculty identify anticipated course needs through the Partnered Course Outline (PCO), and the Hub develops the funding plan and budget in collaboration with the appropriate MICA offices.
Course Support Contributions
Partner contributions are intended to support the educational experience, not purchase instructional services or student work.
Course Support Contributions help offset the additional costs associated with delivering a partnered course and may include financial contributions, donated materials, fabrication services, meeting space, technical expertise, transportation, or other forms of in-kind support. Every partnership is different, so the Hub works with faculty and partners to determine an appropriate level of support based on the goals, scope, and resource needs of the course.
Guiding Principles
Course Support Contributions should:
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Support student learning and the educational experience.
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Reflect the actual needs of the course.
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Be reasonable, necessary, allowable, and allocable under MICA policies.
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Recognize partner capacity and may include both financial and in-kind support.
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Help establish equitable and transparent expectations across partnerships.
Typical Uses of Course Support Contributions
Course Support Contributions may support expenses such as:
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Student materials and supplies
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Prototype fabrication and production
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Printing and presentation materials
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Software, licenses, and specialized services
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Shipping and delivery
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Local travel and partner site visits
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Workshops and exhibitions
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Other course-related expenses that enhance student learning
How Funding Works
Funding for partnered courses follows a simple process.
1. Faculty identify anticipated course needs.
Through the Partnered Course Outline (PCO), faculty identify the resources and support the course may require.
2. The Hub develops the funding plan.
Using the completed PCO, the Design + Innovation Hub develops a proposed funding plan and budget, coordinating with the appropriate MICA offices.
3. The Hub works with the partner.
The Hub discusses funding with the external partner and determines appropriate financial and/or in-kind contributions.
4. The partnership is finalized.
The agreed-upon funding informs the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), budget, and any additional agreements required to implement the partnership.
Beyond the Classroom
These guidelines apply specifically to partnered courses.
As ideas and partnerships continue beyond the classroom through post-course engagements, fellowships, sponsored projects, entrepreneurship, or applied research, funding models change to reflect the goals and scope of those activities.