Office of the Associate Dean for Research (ADR)

The Office of the Associate Dean for Research strengthens Michigan Engineering’s research enterprise by facilitating strategic partnerships and identifying new opportunities for innovation. The ADR team also oversees Corporate & Foundation Relations, International Relations, and Research Development, connecting external partners with faculty expertise and global research initiatives.

Best for: Non-University faculty or partners, companies, foundations, and organizations seeking to collaborate on research, build international partnerships, or explore sponsored research opportunities with Michigan Engineering.

Recruit top engineering talent

Engineering Career Resource Center (ECRC)

Connect with Michigan Engineering talent through career fairs, targeted recruiting events and additional career engagement opportunities Build your recruiting pipeline by developing a lasting relationship with one of the nation’s top engineering schools.

Best for: Companies seeking to recruit for full-time, internship, or co-op positions and increase brand visibility among engineering students.

Corporate Partner Program

Become a deeply engaged recruiting partner within Michigan Engineering. Corporate Partners support student career development while gaining elevated visibility and personalized engagement with top talent across engineering disciplines.

Best for: Organizations with ongoing hiring needs looking to build strong, long-term connections with the college and its students.

Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE)

Collaborate with entrepreneurial-minded students tackling today’s toughest innovation challenges. Through student treks and partnership events, showcase your company and connect directly with emerging startup talent.

Best for: Startups and innovation-driven companies seeking early access to creative problem-solvers and potential future hires.

Sponsor a student project

Engineering 100 (ENGR 100)

Engineering 100 is an introductory, project-based course where first-year engineering students experience what it’s like to work as practicing engineers. Students collaborate in teams to design solutions to real-world problems, with sections focused on topics such as robotics, rocket science, and radiation mitigation. External partners can support the course by speaking to classes, mentoring design teams, or sponsoring projects by proposing real-world challenges and providing resources or funding.

Best for: Professionals or organizations who want to share real-world engineering expertise, mentor student design teams, or propose and support hands-on engineering projects.

Graduate-level capstone & practicum projects

Collaborate with Michigan Engineering master’s students on real-world, industry-sponsored capstone projects. Companies propose open-ended engineering challenges and work directly with graduate students applying advanced technical and analytical skills.

Best for: Companies seeking to solve practical engineering problems, connect with expert faculty, and evaluate potential future hires on projects including automotive, construction, space systems, design science, manufacturing, product design,  systems engineering, and operational challenges.

Programs include:

• Construction Professional Practice (CEE 530)
• Design Science MS (DESCI 503)
• Energy Systems Engineering MEng (ESENG 503)
• Master’s Practicum in Industrial and Operations Engineering (IOE 524)
• Mechanical Engineering MEng — Automotive Engineering MEng (AUTO 503), Manufacturing Engineering MEng (MFG 503), Global Engineering and Manufacturing MEng (AUTO 503 or MFG 503)
• Systems Engineering + Design MEng (ISD 503)
• Space Systems Projects (SPACE 590) — Contact: Nilton Reno 
• Product Design and Manufacturing (MATSCIE 482) — Contact: Yiyang Li

Undergraduate capstone design courses

Work with senior student teams as they bring innovative solutions from concept to prototype under faculty mentorship.

Best for: Companies with open-ended design and operational, logistical, or supply chain management challenges who want to mentor student teams and connect with future engineering talent.

Programs include:

• Mechanical Engineering Capstone Design (ME 450)
• Industrial & Operations Engineering Senior Design (IOE 424)

Perot Jain TechLab Series

Partner with Michigan Engineering students on real-world technology projects—at no financial cost to your startup. Your company gains access to U-M facilities and student teams that tackle your technical or business challenges over the course of an academic year.

Best for: Startups and early-stage ventures seeking hands-on collaboration and product development support from top STEM talent.

Wilson Student Team Project Center

Collaborate with high-performing student teams developing competitive and innovative engineering projects. The Wilson Center offers resources and mentorship opportunities that connect your business with students gaining hands-on design experience.

Best for: Businesses looking to mentor, sponsor, or collaborate with student engineering teams on real-world challenges.

Engage through global or cross-disciplinary programs

Tauber Institute for Global Operations

Sponsor an interdisciplinary graduate team to uncover operational efficiencies, sustainability gains, and cost savings. Tauber projects pair engineering and MBA students with companies to deliver measurable business impact—often in the millions.

Best for: Large corporations seeking data-driven process improvements, innovation in operations, and access to top graduate talent.

Global Health Design Initiative (GHDI)

The Global Health Design Initiative provides curricular and co-curricular opportunities for undergraduate students to collaborate with stakeholders to define problems and develop and implement solutions to address essential health care challenges.

Best for: NGOs, health startups, and organizations focused on medical technology, global health innovation, or social impact.

Multidisciplinary Design Program (MDP)

Sponsor two semester innovative projects, engaging multidisciplinary teams of undergraduate and graduate students in your practical engineering challenges, while owning all intellectual property generated. MDP helps align your project goals with student learning objectives to deliver mutual value across innovation, research, and recruiting. MDP offers ENGR 255, 355, 455, 555, and 599 as lab-based courses and collaborates with students and faculty mentors to identify the most suitable course level for each individual.

Best for: Companies, nonprofits, or government agencies seeking fresh technical solutions and early connections to talented Michigan students.

Co-create professional development and training

Michigan Engineering Online & Professional Education (ME-OPE)

Collaborate with Michigan Engineering Online & Professional Education (ME-OPE) to deliver premier online education and workforce training. Partner programs may include faculty oversight or co-teaching, ensuring academic rigor and measurable outcomes.

Best for: Educational institutions, corporate training providers, and organizations interested in developing or scaling high-quality engineering education programs.