What projects will Drexel Smart House fund?

The Drexel Smart House’s ultimate goal is to improve life through smart design and technology. The broad scope of our goals is up to the interpretation of the applicant, however we are most interested in innovations in the built environment - that is, innovations that improve life in some way within buildings, homes, workplaces, schools, etc. To date, Drexel Smart House projects have had a strong sustainability component, encompassing energy, health, the environment, human computer interaction, and automation.

Who is eligible for Seed Funding?

Any Drexel student, with the exception of freshman students: Freshman students may only receive funding for work to be completed in Summer term following their freshman academic year. We encourage freshman students to apply for funding as early as possible since funding is limited and proposals are occasionally returned for revision and re-submission.

Freshman students may apply for Seed funding in support of or in addition to a Star summer research program.

Proposals must clearly demonstrate a time commitment to pursuing project goals; the Review Board would be hesitant to approve a project for a team of senior design students which demonstrates little commitment to continuity following graduation. If this is your situation, we encourage your team to bring on upperclassmen students or partner with a freshman design group. Teams with this dynamic must clearly state team members contribitions and responsibilities.

What can go in the budget? What items are not eligible for funding?

Any prototype materials, tools, parts, components, or testing equipment can be budgeted into a project. All expenses must be well justified. Proposals missing justification for a budget item will be returned.

Items in the budget must not be available at Drexel; for example, it would be inappropriate for a team studying wireless sensors to budget an oscilloscope, because this equipment is available in many labs throughout campus.

Drexel Smart House members are equipped to identify available resources at the University to minimize the items that are budgeted. We highly encourage every applicant to consult with DSH to write budgets.

Budgets may not include:

Travel, conference registrations, software (unless strong justification is provided), stipends or pay, subcontracts, legal services, incorporation costs, business costs, consultant fees, literature or journal access (provided by Library), or computers (embedded application specific systems must have justification)

The review board reserves the right to approve a project with a board revised budget, or tier funding disbursements contingent on completion of project milestones.

Who owns the projects/prototypes/materials?

This common question is often a sticking point for students. With most grants obtained through the university, the associated materials and equipment is property of the university and not the faculty/researchers/students. Even though the funding is awarded to individuals and student teams, all materials purchased or produced using the funds are property of Drexel University and Drexel Smart House. However, since this program is meant to foster tech transfer and student innovation, teams or individuals may claim ownership of associated materials if a business is incorporated within one year of the completion of the Seed Fund project. This claim for ownership must be made in writing and is subject to approval of the Review Board.