Industry Partnerships FAQ
Below you'll find details about partnering with Bucknell's College of Engineering through sponsored projects, classes and experiences. If you have additional questions, or to explore a partnership with us, please contact:
Bucknell Engineering
570-577-3711
Engineering@bucknell.edu
FAQ
A potential partner will propose a noncritical path project. The faculty project advisers will review the proposal and match you with a student team. That student team will develop a written report and in many cases an early stage prototype with mentorship from a member of your organization and one of our talented faculty members.
At the end of the term, you will receive a written report and all intellectual property associated with the prototype and project.
Bucknell is one of the top 10 undergraduate engineering programs in the country (among institutions that do not grant doctoral degrees). Our students are known for being strong technically and combining those abilities with impressive communication skills. Bucknell engineers are quickly promoted at their companies due to this unique combination.
Bucknell was a 2021 Top Maker School, a 2022 Top Fulbright Scholar school and ranks in the top 30 for number of Fortune 500 CEOs.
Your benefits include:
- Innovative ideas and solutions
- A prototype and written report from a talented team of students
- An outstanding solution at a fraction of the cost of hiring a full-service engineering firm
- An opportunity to connect with Bucknell engineers, who could be your next hires
- An opportunity to be recognized as a supporter and champion of engineering education on Bucknell's website, in our College of Engineering Industry Newsletter and via our social media
- Access to Bucknell campus resources and the latest high-tech laboratory equipment
Yes. Your financial support is an investment that directly benefits the project outcomes, student educational experience and program.
Sponsorship levels are based on the needs of the engagement and program. Up to half of the fee goes directly to your student team to cover material, travel, and shipping costs. Lower sponsorship levels are available for non-profit, government and small businesses based on the scope and resources of the partner.
Requested Sponsorship Fees
- Interdisciplinary Senior Design $20,000
- Year-long Single Discipline (non-computer science) $12,000
- Year-long Computer Science $6,000
- Half year $6,000
- Institute for Leadership in Technology & Management $5,000
Typical Timelines:
- Year Long:
- Early May: Project submissions due for full consideration
- Mid-July: Contract, including non-disclosure agreement, completed
- Late August: Student project matching completed and sponsorship dollars due
- Early September: Project kick-off and possible student site visit
- Mid December: Student proof of concept presentation or mid-year report
- Late April: Design Expo
- Mid-May: Final report and prototypes delivered to project partner
- January Start:
- Mid-October: Project submissions due for full consideration
- Early December: Contract, including non-disclosure agreement, completed
- Mid-January: Project kick-off
- Late April: Design Expo
- Mid-May: Final report and prototypes delivered to project partner
- Summer Start:
- Late November: Project submissions due for full consideration
- Early April: Contract, including non-disclosure agreement, completed
- Mid-May: Project kickoff
- Mid-August: Final report and prototypes delivered to project partner
- Year Long:
We are happy to share some engagement options with Bucknell and the College of Engineering:
- Recruitment
- Cost-effective innovative ideas and solutions
- Speaking opportunities
- Engagement with Bucknell's Center for Career Advancement
Contact us to learn more.
We have eight majors — biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, environmental engineering and mechanical engineering. Interdisciplinary opportunities that combine these areas of expertise are also available.
The parameters of a good project are as follows:
- High impact for your company or organization
- Not a critical path
- Provides a strong learning experience for our students
We are happy to discuss a project at any time, although we operate on an academic calendar. Most projects start near the end of August, but we do have some sequences that begin in January or take place over the summer.
Yes, we are happy to chat about a project and find a solution outside of our traditional timeline.
You will receive a written report from the student team as well as all rights to the associated intellectual property. In many instances a prototype will be provided that demonstrates the potential fit, form and function of the solution. Please keep in mind that this is primarily an educational service.
We offer non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) which are followed closely by our students, faculty and staff.
At least one member of your team is assigned as a mentor to our student team throughout the project timeline. This individual(s) should meet/communicate regularly with the team, up to one hour per week, to receive updates, provide guidance and answer questions. In-person interactions at your company or at Bucknell are encouraged, when possible.
These projects will take place on the Bucknell University campus in Lewisburg, Pa. In-person interactions at your company or at Bucknell are encouraged, when possible.
We have an internal process for matching teams with project partners. All of our students will provide innovative ideas and unique solutions to your project.
Your assigned mentor will be working closely with the student team and will get to know them during the process. You will be able to formally interview the students for positions in your company if they are agreeable.
Payment is required at the time our contract is finalized. We'll send you an invoice and we request that you pay that within one month.
There are advantages to multiyear sponsorships:
- Enhances recruitment success
- Reduced cost per project
- Save time by not negotiating a contract each year
- Guaranteed to have a student team work on your project
As a project sponsor, you should plan to assign at least one mentor to the student team throughout the length of the project. This person will provide guidance, feedback and mentorship to the students for up to one hour per week.
Student teams are responsible for project management. Projects follow a design process specified by the course.
We will do our best to match every project with a student team. Partners who agree to sponsor a project earlier will receive preference if we have more projects than student teams.
Our students have successfully completed a wide variety of projects. Here are some examples:
A safer sushi roll with robotics
Manufacturing PA grant to fund Bucknell Engineering Project with Resilite
While you will be primarily interacting with the student team and faculty member working on your project, you will have interaction with the manager of engineering industry partnerships and individuals from Bucknell's Finance and General Counsel's offices.
You may need to provide some materials for students to use. Bucknell has a wide array of tools, machines and equipment in our labs and makerspaces. You may be required to use software that we will provide to help manage the project.
Yes, we may be able to refer you to appropriate resources.
Bucknell is able to accept hazardous materials, but we are unable to ship those materials back.
Yes, we would like approval up front along with a copy of your logo to place on our Design Expo materials.