Information for Faculty
The Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) Program at Indiana University Bloomington (IUB) offers faculty the opportunity to lead long-term, multidisciplinary project teams that integrate research, creative activity, and experiential learning. VIP teams bring together undergraduate students from multiple disciplines who enroll in course credit while contributing to ambitious, faculty-led projects over multiple semesters.
VIP teams can advance faculty research, creative activity, and other innovative scholarship, while expanding access to high-impact learning experiences for undergraduate students.
What Does it Mean to Lead a VIP Team?
VIP faculty serve as project mentors, helping students contribute to ongoing research, creative activity, or project-based work. Faculty establish the project's vision and goals while providing guidance and oversight. Day-to-day project activities may be supported by graduate students and experienced undergraduate team members, allowing responsibility to be distributed across the team over time.
Why Lead a VIP Team?
Participating faculty benefit from:
- A long-term pipeline of engaged undergraduate researchers
- Administrative support for student recruitment and onboarding
- Ready-to-use VIP course templates and program resources
- A small amount of funding to help launch and sustain your project
VIP teams are structured to foster sustained student engagement, allowing students to build expertise and leadership over time. As students return to the project across semesters, they contribute meaningfully to research continuity and team mentorship.
What Makes a Strong VIP Project?
VIP projects are:
- Long-term (multi-year in vision)
- Appropriate for undergraduate participation
- Structured around real research, creative, or community-engaged work
- Designed to support interdisciplinary collaboration
Projects can align with existing research agendas, creative initiatives, or emerging areas of exploration.
Express Your Interest
Interested faculty whose research, creative activity, or community-engaged work could benefit from sustained undergraduate involvement should reach out to VIP Program Director, Kody Steffy, at ksteffy@iu.edu.