Choosing the Right Project
When selecting a project for students, aim for opportunities that:
- Offer flexibility—projects should be open-ended and allow for multiple solutions, whether research-based, design-focused, or analytical.
- Are applicable & relevant—outcomes should align with your organization’s needs while matching student skills and experience.
- Encourage collaboration and impact—deliverables should create tangible value, such as prototypes, proposed solutions, research findings, or reports.
How it Works
Organizations can launch class‑based or standalone instructor-led projects by contacting the Office of Corporate Relations & Economic Engagement, connecting through faculty or staff, or engaging with us at outreach events. Once initiated, the instructor and partner collaboratively shape the project’s scope, timeline, and deliverables to ensure shared expectations. Every project uses a Technical Assistance Project (TAP) Agreement to outline responsibilities and protect all participants.
Non‑Disclosure and/or Intellectual Property Agreements aren’t required, but a UW System–approved NDA is available upon request.
Project Costs
Projects operate under a fee-for-service model, with project costs and budgets determined collaboratively based on the project scope, scale, and resource requirements.
Additional Costs - The external partner is typically responsible for supplying any required project materials. These may be ordered directly by the external partner and shipped to UW-Stout, following coordination with the instructor to ensure proper timing and delivery.
Timelines
Class projects follow the academic calendar. Projects may last 1 or more semesters, depending on project needs. Please allow 2-3 weeks for project development and signing of TAP Agreements prior to the start of the semester for smooth initiation of projects.
Standalone instructor-led projects operate independently of the academic calendar and may span from a few weeks to several months. Project coordination typically involves 2–3 meetings with UW-Stout staff to define scope, align expectations, and finalize logistics before the TAP Agreement is sent out.
Utilization of non-disclosure agreements will add additional time to the project development phase.