Innovation Accelerator Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering (IAL-ISE)

Internal Funding Awards in Alignment with the HMC Strategic Plan and Comprehensive Campaign

February 2026

1. The Innovation Accelerator

Throughout its history, Harvey Mudd College has developed and delivered innovative approaches to address pressing societal challenges through its renowned educational program and scholarly work. Excellence is never a fixed state—it is sustained by an unwavering commitment to innovation.

To carry this spirit forward, and to realize our shared vision of delivering STEM for A Better World, we are weaving innovation into the student experience and evolving our institution. This means linking exceptional curriculum development, teaching, research and hands-on learning with top-tier residential and co-curricular programming, ensuring that students encounter a world-class institution in the classroom and lab, as well as across the full fabric of campus life.

The Innovation Accelerator powers this effort with institution-wide intentionality. Through competitive internal funding, we support bold, forward-thinking initiatives that drive excellence under our strategic plan while also cultivating philanthropic partnerships. Building on the momentum of the IA Labs, we now invite proposals for the Innovation Accelerator Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering (IAL-ISE).

2. Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering at HMC and the Future Campus

Harvey Mudd College’s unique strength lies in its ability to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries. The most complex global challenges—from sustainable energy to fighting pandemic disease—demand scholars who can fluently bridge the languages and methodologies of multiple STEM fields.

This call is designed to spark ideas that push our institutional definition of interdisciplinary research and teaching. Successful proposals will articulate how integrating new perspectives, methodologies, and skillsets into our existing departments can foster unprecedented synergy.

A critical secondary goal of this call is to inform the College’s most significant capital project to date: the construction of a new academic facility. The ideas generated through the IAL-ISE will provide compelling, evidence-based answers to the crucial question: “What does HMC need a new academic building FOR?” Proposals should implicitly or explicitly define the necessary interdisciplinary spaces, tools, technologies, and faculty collaborations that such a building must facilitate to elevate our mission.

3. Design Workshops

A series of facilitated design workshops will engage a wide diversity of faculty and staff in the ideation process. 

Workshop I: This workshop will be repeated on two dates over lunch served in the Aviation Room: Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, Noon – 1 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, Noon – 1 p.m.

  • Focus: Defining Grand Challenges and Interdisciplinary Themes. Explore high-impact societal challenges and identify the specific disciplinary gaps at HMC that must be bridged to address them.

Workshop II: This workshop will be repeated on two dates over lunch served in the Aviation Room: Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, Noon – 1 p.m., and Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, Noon – 1 p.m.

  • Focus: Translating Vision into Physical Infrastructure and Curriculum. Translate the thematic ideas generated in Workshop I into tangible needs for space and curriculum reform.

4. Call for Proposals

We invite proposals from faculty and staff that envision and enact deep disciplinary integration across science and engineering. Proposals must focus on some combination of teaching, research, partnerships, and/or student engagement (i.e., two or more of these areas). Cross-departmental collaboration is essential.

Ultimately, the proposals should articulate the compelling rationale for interdisciplinary science and engineering and articulate the unique teaching and research capabilities (e.g., specialized instruments, flexible laboratories, co-located offices/classrooms) that a new building must house to support the proposed interdisciplinary work.

Below are key highlights regarding guidelines for the IA. For a more in-depth overview of the guidance and requirements related to IA disbursements, please refer to the IA guidelines and Procedures Website.

Eligibility

  • Proposals must be led by at least one tenured faculty member and involve collaborators from multiple departments.
  • At least one co-PI must be from the Chemistry or Physics department, and one should be from the Engineering department. 

Expectations

Successful proposals will:

  • Demonstrate innovative approaches to deep interdisciplinary collaboration in education, research, or practice.
  • Provide a clear articulation of how the proposed work answers the question of “What does HMC need a new academic building FOR?” (i.e., defining the function and necessary physical infrastructure).
  • Identify opportunities for student engagement and leadership.
  • Consider potential for external partnerships and funding.
  • Clearly illustrate the potential for serving as the basis for a compelling case statement for donors that aligns with the comprehensive campaign goals.

Allowable Expenses

Funds may be used for faculty/staff salary support (see caps below), student stipends, travel, materials/supplies, software licenses, or other direct costs necessary to carry out the project.

5. Timeline for Submission and Review

Two-page Proposals (Seed Stage)

Deadline: March 16, 2026

Submission: Upload using the online submission form.

Format: ≤ 2 pages, including:

  • Team – faculty/staff leads and affiliations.
  • Title – descriptive project title.
  • Significance – alignment with the strategic plan and vision for the new building.
  • Innovation – how the proposal advances interdisciplinary paradigms and defines new academic space needs.
  • Budget – How the team would allocate up to $30,000 in funding over July 2026 – June 2027. Up to three faculty or staff may charge up to $3,500 in salary to the grant, with the balance towards support travel, supplies, student stipends, etc. Alternative budget allocations may be discussed with Karl Haushaulter.

Review and Seed Stage Awards

  • Proposals will be presented to the Cabinet and key advisors in late March 2026.
  • By June 1, 2026, 2–4 proposals will be selected for $30,000 seed funding.

Full Proposals (Growth Stage)

Deadline: May 1, 2027

Submission: Upload using the online submission form.

Format: ≤ 10 pages, including:

  • Narrative: Define the future state, methods, and strategies (audience: academic, board, foundation leaders). Must include detailed descriptions of the required physical space to support the vision.
  • Demonstration: Any preliminary results, capabilities, or physical models of the envisioned space/collaboration.
  • Plan: Specific, actionable roadmap with success metrics.
  • Budget: Up to $100,000/year for 2 years (max $200,000). Up to three faculty/staff leads may request $10,000/year in salary support.
  • Sustainability: Fundraising needs and long-term vision for sustaining the project and fully integrating the work into the new academic building’s operations.

Review & Growth Stage Awards

  • In Summer 2027, faculty teams will present proposals to an evaluation panel of internal and external stakeholders, including architects and capital campaign advisors.

Recommendations will be made to the Cabinet, which will allocate up to $200,000 in additional funds based on projected impact, alignment with the strategic plan, potential to strengthen campaign fundraising, and its direct ability to define the core functions of the new academic building.

Questions

If you have questions, you may set up an appointment with the following:

  • Karl Haushalter, VP for Academic Affairs and R. Michael Shanahan Dean of the Faculty (Email Deanna Baca at dbaca@g.hmc.edu)
  • Jennifer Eccles, VP for Advancement (Email Nicole Oullette at nouellette@hmc.edu)
  • President Harriet B. Nembhard (Email Caroline Bloomer at cbloomer@hmc.edu)