Funding Requirements & Details
Categories of Funding
MSBDL will consider applications that fit in one of the following categories. If you feel your project fits in multiple categories, select the category that fits best and use the narrative section of the application to provide additional information.
Design-based Research: Exploring or investigating new questions or topics related to or utilizing design-thinking. This may be initial research or the extension of prior research. Research projects are eligible for up to three rounds of funding.
Prototyping: Developing prototypes to test research findings or as an extension of a research phase. Prototypes may come in many forms including physical objects, organizational models, events, applications/programs, digital models, performances, exhibitions, and more.
Implementation: Implementation of projects or ideas beyond the research and prototyping phases. In order for a project to be eligible for implementation funding, it must have been worked through at least one round of both research and prototyping.
About the Matthew S. Browning Design Lab
As Weber State University’s hub for multidisciplinary design, The Matthew S. Browning Design Lab (MSBDL) provides funding, space, technical expertise, connections, and collaborations to leverage Design across disciplines for innovation, exploration, research, and problem solving.
A key facet of our work is to provide funding and support to design-based projects led by faculty, staff, and students often in collaboration with external partners.
Funding requests will be accepted each spring and fall with an opportunity for mini projects (under $2,500) on a rolling basis.
Requirements
Projects/research must utilize Design-Thinking as the central component, process, methodology, or discipline. We frame recognize Design-Thinking as a broad and dynamic discipline that is often interwoven with and utilizes processes from within or between specific design disciplines such as:
- Design Research
- Human-Centered Design
- Community Design
- Service Design
- Social Design
- Biomimicry
- Systems Thinking/Design
- Product Design
- Urban Design
- Industrial Design
- Furniture Design
- User Experience / Interface Design
- Lighting Design
- Instructional Design
- Organizational Design
- Design Management
- Design Innovation
- Exhibition Design
- Interior and Architectural Design
- Public Space and Environmental Design
Projects must have a clearly defined intended impact and a process for documenting outcomes. Outcomes may be measured quantitatively or qualitatively but must be documented and reported as part of the final reporting process.
Projects must include a minimum of 3 of the following:
- Faculty or staff from at least two different departments or colleges
- Opportunities for student involvement or research
- An external partner including but not limited to community or industry partners
- Alignment with the Weber State University Strategic Plan
Eligible Expenses
Mini Projects cannot exceed a budget of $2,500.
- Research stipends for any members of the project including: faculty, staff, students, fellows, partners, and research participants.
- Materials and supplies necessary to carry out the project.
- Marketing and documentation expenses necessary to carry out and document the project.
- Venue or facility rental expenses.
- Funded projects receive free access to use our project lab space located within the former James Madison Elementary School building located at 2563 Monroe Blvd (directly North of the Weber State University Community Education Center). Access and reservations will be coordinated on an as needed basis.
- Rental or purchase of equipment necessary for the project.
- Terms of ongoing ownership and use will need to be negotiated and agreed upon for any purchased equipment prior to the project being funded and the equipment being acquired.
- Meals or refreshments that are necessary for the successful completion of the project and are of modest cost.
Final Reporting Requirements
All funded projects must submit a final report within 30 days of completing the project. Reports must address all of the following:
- A synopsis of the project/research and the results.
- What quantitative or qualitative data did you collect and what insights did you gain from it?
- What challenges and successes did you experience throughout the project?
- Did the project/research accomplish the intended impact/outcome? What measures or details demonstrate the impact?
- Were there any changes to the budget? If so, please explain.
- Please explain what is next for this project, including future phases or processes. If the project is complete and will not continue forward please explain.
- Share photos, videos, or other forms of documentation via Google Drive or a similar file sharing system.
Direct all questions to Jake McIntire (jakemcintire@weber.edu).
The Matthew S. Browning Design Lab may request your project be presented to relevant partners and/or stakeholders within or outside of Weber State University.