A modest sponsorship fee helps cover the costs of Senior Design projects and is set by the academic department overseeing the work. Projects involving multiple departments require a slightly higher fee. 

Billing & Payment
Sponsors are typically billed in October, but we’re happy to work with you to arrange a flexible payment schedule if needed. Please note that students cannot receive direct payment from sponsors for their participation. 

Equipment & Materials
Sponsors may provide equipment or parts for the project. These items can be returned at the end of the project. 

Deliverables
Each project team provides a detailed report at the end of every semester. While we strive to meet additional deliverable requests, only the semester reports are guaranteed.

Faculty Advisor 

The Faculty Advisor is the team’s academic guide and technical resource. They help assess project challenges, ensure both academic and project goals are met, and provide expertise throughout the process. Faculty Advisors: 

• Meet regularly with the student team and sponsor 

• May visit sponsor facilities alongside students 

• Coordinate calls between the team and sponsor 

• Offer academic and technical insights 

• Assist with software learning (when applicable) 

• Review and provide feedback on team presentations 

Student Team 

Our senior engineering students bring energy, creativity, and problem-solving skills to every project. They work closely with both the Faculty Advisor and Sponsor Advisor to: 

• Develop a detailed project schedule 

• Deliver high-quality results on time 

• Monitor material costs and seek sponsor approval before spending 

• Collaboratively define objectives and milestones 

• Submit drafts to advisors for feedback before final delivery 

Sponsor Advisor 

As the Sponsor Advisor, you’re the industry mentor and project champion. Students will look to you as a role model for professional standards and real-world problem-solving. Your role may include: 

• Keeping the team focused on project goals 

• Participating in meetings and teleconferences (as available) 

• Coordinating facility visits 

• Assessing progress and presentations 

• Providing technical guidance and feedback to both students and faculty 

• Reviewing materials to ensure proprietary information remains protected 

Departmental Senior Design Leader 

The Departmental Senior Design Leader ensures the success of the program — academically, financially, and in terms of project outcomes. They: 

• Oversee day-to-day program management 

• Ensure teams follow a structured development process 

• Serve as the primary representative of the Senior Design Program to sponsors and other universities 

• Are available to address sponsor or faculty concerns at any stage of the project 

• Assign and input grades for all students

Intellectual Property 

Senior Design projects give you the opportunity to retain ownership of the innovations our students create. Since students are not employees of the University, any intellectual property they generate during the project belongs to your organization. 

Faculty members, however, are University employees — so any intellectual property they contribute may be owned and licensed by the University. If this applies to your project, we’ll work with you to navigate licensing details. 

Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) 

To protect sensitive information, sponsors may request that students and faculty advisors sign NDAs at the start of the project. While students are not required to sign, those who choose not to participate under an NDA can be reassigned to a different project, ensuring confidentiality for your organization.