To date, the MIT IDI has established several successful mechanisms for engaging MIT students in international development projects in partnership with communities in developing countries. Existing programs provide opportunities for MIT students to travel to developing countries, work with partner organizations to identify needs and design challenges, and develop technologies that address these issues:

D-Lab is a year-long series of classes and field trips that provide a curriculum to educate students about technical, social, and cultural aspects of development work in selected countries, and then provides the opportunity for field work and implementation. D-Lab has already begun to address community needs in Brazil, Haiti, Honduras, and India. For more information, visit the D-lab web site at http://web.mit.edu/d-lab.

The IDEAS Competition provides a support system, funding, and a competitive challenge for teamwork and creativity as it encourages students to develop innovative solutions to address community needs. The IDEAS Competition culminates with awards at the end of spring semester, but development grants, mentoring, and staff provide ongoing support for student service projects. See http://web.mit.edu/ideas for more information.

Public Service Fellowships provide stipends that enable students to work full-time on capacity-building community projects all over the world during IAP and summer. Semester-long projects are also possible through this intensive collaborative experience with community organizations worldwide. Projects can be student initiated, or they can be offered by community organizations or donors, so Fellowships can introduce students to new issues and opportunities or allow them to continue projects that they have already begun. More information can be found at http://web.mit.edu/mitpsc/fellowships.

IDI Grants are available to faculty, students, and other MIT community members interested in projects that involve MIT students in international development. The grants may enable faculty interested in incorporating international development projects into their coursework to cover materials, travel, and other expenses; or may enable students to continue work from a class, UROP, or student group to turn ideas and prototypes into real products that serve communities in developing regions. Applications can be submitted year-round. Other grant and fellowship opportunities are available through the MIT Public Service Center, and may also apply to your project: http://web.mit.edu/mitpsc/resources/grants/

University to University (U2U) builds on current university-based efforts in a collaborative and targeted approach that forms interdisciplinary student teams to combine the strengths of the member universities and promote capacity-building and sustainable development through community-based research and participatory development.

In January of 2005, students and faculty from the MIT D-lab class traveled to Mwape to establish a relationship with the Chieftainess and begin conversations about a long-term project. During this short trip, students met key stakeholders (community leaders) and identified some community needs based on interviews and their own observations.

Between June and August of 2005, a multidisciplinary group of students and faculty from the MIT, University of Zambia (UNZA), and the Harvard Medical School (HMS), worked together in Zambia and traveled to Mwape where a multiphase project began.

Click here for more information on the current projects of the U2U program.