INSPIRE

Welcome to INSPIRE

Industry and Strategic Partnerships for Innovation, Research and Economic Growth is an innovation powerhouse within the College of Innovation & Technology at the University of Michigan-Flint. Our mission is to connect our change-making students with employers, build industry partnerships, and provide opportunities for career advancement. Led by a dynamic team of experts and guided by experienced faculty, INSPIRE serves as both an incubator and a bridge to industry for students aspiring to make an impact in the world.

What Does INSPIRE Do?

• Industry Connections: We build strategic partnerships with industry to address real-world challenges and advance applied research.
• Student Engagement: Students gain hands-on industry experience, develop product ideas, and participate in events and networking opportunities.
• Career Engagement: We connect our student scholars to industry opportunities and student research projects.

Students must be nominated by their professors for the Student Engagement track. Contact our INSPIRE Projects & Student Engagement Manager, Aubree Kraut, at arottier@umich.edu to learn how to join the opportunity list and the nomination process.

Why Get Involved?

INSPIRE is your gateway to practical industry experience, entrepreneurial mentorship, and a collaborative environment where your ideas can thrive. Whether you’re a student seeking career growth, a company looking to partner with emerging talent, or an industry stakeholder interested in new technologies, INSPIRE offers something for you.

How It Works

1. Our industry partners bring a project proposal to the INSPIRE Team.
2. The INSPIRE Team matches industry projects with suitable student scholars and faculty fellows to create a sprint team.
3. The sprint team collaborates to find a real-world solution to the assigned project. Project timeframes vary based on the needs of the industry partner.
4. The student completes the project, establishing a connection with a potential future employer and gaining an official project to add to their portfolio. Some students may have the option of pursuing professional certifications.