Partner with the HCII to Shape the Future of Human-Centered Technology

Leverage the visionary research, brilliant students, and world-renowned faculty of Carnegie Mellon University's Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII) to drive innovation and elevate your organization's impact. A partnership with the HCII provides a direct conduit to the cutting-edge of human-centered design and technology.

The HCII is a global leader in pioneering technology that seamlessly integrates with the human experience. Our work transforms industries and addresses the critical challenges of our time. We invite you to join us in this mission. An engagement with the HCII can infuse your products and services with unparalleled expertise, leading to groundbreaking solutions and a significant return on investment.

Learn more about the following engagement opportunities below: Continue learning with our Professional Education offerings, explore your challenges by sponsoring HCII Capstone Projects or Independent Studies, or fund a Sponsored Research project or Sponsored Faculty and PhD student.   

Professional Education 

HCII Professional Education delivers research-backed insights that transform how leaders master human-centered tech. Led by pioneering HCI faculty, our flexible, application focused offerings—including intensive workshops, online modules, and tailored organizational programs—span a full range of HCI focus areas including Human-Centered AI, AR/VR/XR, data visualization, games & play, collaborative technologies, usable privacy and security, and much more.

You can opt into individual courses or combine into strategic pathways that confer certification. Courses may be in-person, remote, or hybrid depending on your needs.

Capstone Projects

Collaborate with a dedicated team of our bright and talented students, guided by experienced faculty mentors, to tackle a real-world challenge facing your organization. Through one semester or two, our students will co-create innovative solutions that can lead to new or improved products, services, and user experiences. You define the challenge; our students will help you bring a solution to life.

We offer two distinct formats to meet your needs:

  • Undergraduate Capstone: A dynamic, one-semester project led by our senior HCI students.
  • Graduate Capstone (fee-based): A comprehensive, two-semester deep dive with our master's students, offering a more in-depth exploration and a robust final prototype.

Ready to see what our students can do for you? Submit your idea through our Capstone Sponsor Interest Form and we’ll be in touch soon.

Independent Studies

Independent Studies offer a flexible, faculty-mentored opportunity for students—or small student teams—to dive deep into a specialized topic or challenge. These projects can span half or full semesters and are tailored to individual interests and goals.

From early-stage conceptual design and user research to high-fidelity prototyping and development, Independent Studies allow students to explore meaningful problems and build real-world skills—on a schedule that works for them.

Sponsored Research 

Join the ranks of major corporations and foundations like Google, Microsoft, Honda, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation who have funded pivotal research at the HCII. As a world leader in fields such as Human-Centered AI, Educational Technologies, and AR/VR/XR the HCII offers unparalleled expertise to drive your research and development agenda forward. A sponsored research agreement provides a direct and collaborative relationship with our faculty to explore complex challenges and develop next-generation solutions.

Sponsored Faculty and PhD Students

For individuals and organizations looking to make a lasting impact, sponsoring a faculty position or a PhD student offers a unique opportunity to advance the field of HCI. An endowed gift can establish a professorship, providing long-term support for a leading researcher and their work. Similarly, a named fellowship for a PhD student can be tailored to a specific research area of mutual interest, fostering the next generation of HCI innovators.