The Norman Design Fund

The Design Fund provides a small, rapid allocation of funds to support student activities in human-centered design (HCD).  Applications are open to all students of Northwestern, with preference to students in the following priority (highest first):  undergraduates taking Segal design classes or certificate programs, graduate students without access to funded project support, and all others.  The goal is to enhance and encourage human-centered design.

All proposals must contain a brief description of the procedures used for HCD, including observational studies and iterative prototype-test methods.  Straight engineering or art-based (styling) design projects will not be funded.

The funds may be used either for human-centered design projects or for attendance at relevant design conferences (again, conferences that have a reasonable focus on HCD).  Funds may be used for travel, conference registration fees, and project costs.  Most grants will be relatively small - $100 to $1000.

The request for funds is deliberately kept simple. Submit a completed copy of the below application to designfund@u.northwestern.edu.  Requests must be submitted at least one week prior to any expected expenditure.  The Design Fund Committee will typically respond within one week of submission.

Recipients will have four responsibilities:
1. Submit an expense report, along with original receipts.   
University travel expense policies
Information on tax exemption
Each individual who makes purchases must submit a separate expense report.  The university will not reimburse one person for expenses incured by several different team members and classmates.

2. To submit a short (less than one page) report about their projects and the value received before reimbursement will be given. 

3. To include a credit to the Design Fund and the Segal Design Institute on any project presentations or reports created.

4. To spend the funds, and submit expense reports, by the end of the NU fiscal year, August 31.  Any funds not spent by August 31 will be forfeited.  The recipent may re-apply for funds during the following fiscal year.

• Norman Fund Design Application