Collaborative Design + Engineering Laboratory

The Dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts (HFA) and the Dean of the Riccio College of Engineering (RCOE) are pleased to launch a joint design and engineering initiative that brings together HFA and Engineering faculty and students. The initiative will foster innovative, collaborative, and outward-facing work at the intersection of design and engineering. 

This initiative supports work in the humanities, creative arts, and engineering in anticipation of future collaborations between the two colleges on the Design + Engineering Initiative encompassing teaching, research, and creative endeavors. By encouraging truly interdisciplinary work, we invite faculty to define design broadly and explore its intersections with emerging technologies and engineering expertise. 

We seek visionary, outward-looking proposals that move into new territory and address the ecological and technological dimensions of design as they relate to the complex problems of our time. The Laboratory is expected to produce measurable knowledge, creative work, and interdisciplinary engagement. 

Grants are intended to provide a foundation for expanding the reach and visibility of this work, creating opportunities for future funding, collaboration with university units beyond HFA and RCOE, engagement with off-campus communities, or any combination of these. 

One lab will be funded to operate from January 2027 through December 2028. The Design + Engineering Lab will receive annual installments of $20,000 in 2026–2027 and 2027–2028, for a total of $40,000 over the two-year cycle.   

Applications are due by November 15, 2026

Eligibility   

• Any full-time HFA or RCOE faculty member may apply. Teams must include at least one faculty member from each college and, if justified, may include up to two faculty members from each college. 
• Projects will be co-led by faculty members from HFA and RCOE.  
• Projects that have previously received internal or external grant funding or are currently submitted for other sources of funding are not eligible. 
• Teaching initiatives, symposia, conferences, and individual projects, although important, are not eligible for funding. 
• While projects will typically build on existing work, the ideas and visions proposed for these labs are expected to be new, original, and highly innovative in both form and content. 

Expectations and Project Requirements   

• HFA and Engineering faculty members must co-apply and serve as the lab’s co-leads. 
• Labs may begin on January 1, 2027, or soon thereafter. Funding may not exceed $40,000 and will be available in two annual installments of up to $20,000 in 2026–2027 and 2027–2028. All funding must be expended by December 31, 2028. 
• The proposed budget should focus on student research assistantships and the necessary equipment and materials. 
• Labs shall offer engagement, training, and opportunities to a combination of graduate and/or undergraduate students through research assistantships. 
• Measurable outputs, including scholarly presentations, publications, performances, and related work, are expected throughout the period of the labs’ activities. 
• Extending the longevity and expansion of the labs must be a central focus of the faculty who co-direct them. This may include seeking external funding, establishing or furthering community partnerships, or fostering inter- or cross-collaborations with other campus entities or institutions. 
• Projects must organize at least four public-facing events over the two-year award period. 
• During the two-year grant period, lab directors will meet annually with the Deans of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts and the Riccio College of Engineering, as well as their Associate Dean(s) for Research and Engagement (or equivalent) to present their progress and outcomes. 

Application Procedure and Timeframe   

Applications are due by November 15, 2026. Awards are announced by the Deans by the third week of December 2026.  

The following information and documentation are required when applying:   

• An itemized budget using the Project Budget and Justification template available for download from the Supporting Documents section below.    
• Brief narrative of proposed project (maximum 150 words)  
• A concise proposal of up to three pages that discusses the following:  
• Context of the proposed work that discusses the lab’s justification, vision, and intended contribution. While the proposed projects will build upon existing work, the expectation is that the ideas and visions proposed for these labs are new, original, and highly innovative in their form and content.   
• The co-lead's background, expertise, and the viability of the project based on previous experiences. Include a list of relevant publications and presentations.  
• Intended outputs and future research and creative work plans.   
• The opportunities for graduate and/or undergraduate students and the skills they will gain.  
• Funding resources beyond the initial period, expansion structures, dissemination plans, potential future partners, etc.   
• A section which clearly delineates an equitable distribution of responsibilities among collaborators. For more information, see UMass ADVANCE best practices.  
• One-page maximum letter of recommendation from the department chairs/heads of each faculty participating are required to signal the department chair/head’s awareness and support.  

Award Management   

Funding of up to $40,000 is available in two annual installments of up to $20,000 in 2026-2027 and 2027-2028.  Funding that is part of the 2026-2027 installment that is not spent by 6/30/27 will roll over into the next installment period.   All funding must be expended by December 31, 2028.  

Because extensions to the spending period are not permitted, award recipients are responsible for working with their department business manager well in advance of the deadline to ensure that all funds are spent and all expenses, purchases, payments, reimbursements, and other transactions are fully processed on time. Recipients should consult with their business manager at the beginning of the spending period and check in again no later than two months before the deadline.  Departmental Business Managers are encouraged to communicate in a timely manner with the HFA and RCOE Business Offices to ensure expenses are processed by the deadline.  

Project expenses must comply with the UMass Business and Expense Policy.  

The award may not be used for individual faculty travel, personal expenses or equipment.