The BME Undergraduate Design Team program supports 20 teams of undergraduates each year as they develop solutions to some of the most challenging and important healthcare needs in the world. Over the course of a year or more, teams will translate insights from their research, clinical observations, and discussions with experts into concepts and prototypes of promising solutions. Working with clinical and industry mentors, students also gain knowledge of regulatory frameworks, intellectual property, business plan development, and more. These tools have propelled teams to follow-on funding, patents, licenses, and start-up companies. The program also offers opportunities to pair design projects with internship opportunities in industry.
Over the past few years, these design teams have completed over 250 medical device projects, resulting in 40 provisional patents and 16 start-up companies. The program has garnered more than $2M in external funding since 2001 in the form of three program grants, more than two dozen project grants, and countless awards in national design and business plan competitions. Project successes translate into recognition for undergrad designers that contributes to cementing their future success in biomedical engineering.
Design Team Course and Timeline
The BME Undergraduate Design Team curriculum is an intense, 18-month long process that includes clinical immersion, problem identification and description, concept development and evaluation, prototyping and testing, and verification. Each year, approximately 20 teams of Biomedical Engineering undergraduate students work with clinical sponsors, faculty mentors, professional designers, engineers, and scientists to define and implement an impactful project addressing a significant clinical or research need. Teams identify projects in the spring semester, before the Design Team academic year, and work on their projects over the next 18 months. Team leaders begin their project search in February and start working with their teams in May. Their projects are celebrated in early May the following year at BME’s annual Design Day.
BME Design Studio
The BME Design Studio provides the space and resources for undergraduate and graduate students in biomedical engineering to brainstorm, design, prototype, build, and test solutions to real-world clinical and global health challenges. Learn more about the Design Studio.
Application to the BME Undergraduate Design Team Program
Students interested in the BME Undergraduate Design Team program should be prepared to work hard, learn a lot, and have fun while doing it. Program details and requirements can be found in the the BME undergraduate handbook. Application should be made to the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Johns Hopkins BME undergraduate students are eligible to apply to the BME Undergraduate Design Team program as early as the spring semester of their first year.
Submit Your Design Challenge
BME Design Team welcomes mentorship from both clinicians and industry partners. Learn about the responsibilities and benefits of project mentorship, and how to submit your design challenge by clicking below.
Learn About Past Design Team Projects
Design Team 1: HerniAid
