Institute for Design Research and Outreach (IDRO)
The Institute for Design Research and Outreach (IDRO) encompasses the research, extension, and outreach missions of the College of Design. Broadly defined, IDRO’s overall mission is to stimulate and support research, extension, and outreach efforts in areas of strength and relevance to the design disciplines.
The institute promotes interdisciplinary design research, facilitates communication with design professionals and the public, and responds to the needs of the people of Iowa in areas associated with the design disciplines. Projects often are conducted collaboratively, and individual faculty may be involved in several different programs at the same time. Through IDRO, faculty and students work together with citizen groups, businesses, communities, nonprofit organizations and government agencies in addressing problems to improve the quality of our built environment and our lives.
Research Services
At the Institute for Design Research and Outreach (IDRO), we are dedicated to providing comprehensive support to faculty, staff, and students at Iowa State University (ISU) in their research and outreach endeavors. Our range of pre-award, survey, and data support and post-award services are tailored to facilitate the success of your projects. Explore how IDRO can assist you at every stage of your research journey.
- Budget development assistance
- Cost Share Procedure (PDF)
- Guidance with solicitation-specific documentation and ISU information
- Internal and external funding assistance
- Streamline proposal development
Contact: Sandra Norvell
- Institutional Review Board (IRB)
- Research needs, program evaluations, data gathering, and statistical analysis
- Data collection and analysis, report preparation, and occasionally publishing and distributing the reports
- Short surveys and evaluations for faculty/staff/admin candidates or reviews (i.e., 5-year reviews) and departmental accreditation
- Exit surveys for graduating students
- Research and outreach programs by conducting community surveys
- Master’s students in statistical analysis of their thesis or other research data
Contact: Nora Ladjahasan
- Routing cost allocations and assistance with payroll and accounting adjustments
- Purchasing and requisition assistance
- Support with budgetary issues
- Billing of outreach projects
- Hiring Graduate Research Assistants and students
- Research-related summer salary
Contact: Clare Andresen
Internal Funding Opportunities
The Institute for Design Research and Outreach team supports faculty and staff looking to apply for research funding opportunities. For internal funding available through the College of Design, contact Julie Robison, associate director.
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BNIM Regenerative Design Challenge
Supports multidisciplinary research in the areas of sustainability and regenerative design with team funding of $10,000.
BNIM Regenerative Design Challenge description and application
Closed pending funds availability
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Curriculum-based Design Outreach Fund
Provides up to $3,000 to support curriculum-based outreach activities in communities.
Curriculum-based Design Outreach Fund description and application
Spring 2025 Award Deadline:
November 11, 2024 -
Fieldstead & Company Endowment for Community Enhancement Fund
Awarded annually to support projects that “inform the proper and artful development of the communities of Iowa and the surrounding region,” with funding up to $7,500.
Fieldstead & Company Endowment Fund description and application
Spring 2025 Award Deadline:
November 11, 2024 -
IDRO Internal Outreach Networking Grant
Provides up to $5000 for faculty to conduct Digital Design and Technology Integration focused activities that support the initial stages of innovative projects to improve the competitiveness of future, larger proposals to external funders.
IDRO Internal Networking Grant Description
Spring 2025 Application Deadline:
December 2, 2024 -
Research and Outreach Strategic Opportunity Fund
Offers a one-time, limited source of funds intended to bridge gaps or enhance existing activities to seize exceptional opportunities. Requests up to $5,000 will be considered.
IDRO Strategic Opportunities Fund description and application
Closed pending funds availability
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Research and Outreach Dissemination Fund
Supports the dissemination of research and outreach outcomes, including digital or printed materials. Requests up to $2,000 will be considered.
Research and Outreach Dissemination Fund description and application
Closed pending funds availability
University Research Funding Opportunities
For funding awarded through Iowa State University or external organizations and agencies, contact Sandra Norvell, research coordinator.
Links
- Vice President for Research (VPR)
- Grants Hub
- Current limited-submission funding opportunities
- Finding funding service
- Institutional Review Board (IRB)
- Office of Research Ethics (ORE)
- Office of Sponsored Programs Administration (OSPA)
- Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations (EIDR)
- Virtual Reality Applications Center (VRAC)
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Research Facilities and Units
Through our cutting-edge research units, we foster collaboration, experimentation, and innovation. By providing access to state-of-the-art facilities and forging strategic partnerships, we empower designers at Iowa State to explore new frontiers, pushing the boundaries of creativity and technology.
Research Showcase Series
The Institute for Design Research and Outreach highlights faculty and staff research through the showcase poster series. We aim to celebrate faculty and staff research success and share highlights with the larger College of Design community. Posters are displayed in the IDRO windows outside 126 Design and are widely viewed by prospective students and parents. All faculty and staff are invited to participate by completing the Showcase Series Submission Form below or by contacting Julie Robison, IDRO Assistant Director, at jrobison@iastate.edu.
Jennifer Drinkwater
The What’s Good Project: an ongoing collaborative archive of “what’s good” in communities across the United States via interviews, stories, and paintings.
Bruno Oro
Oro’s current research involves creating toys and products for children with cerebral palsy. Oro’s current research involves creating toys and products for children with cerebral palsy.
Evan Hume
Hume’s series, Sonic Interventions is a recent body of work made primarily with declassified photographs of historical and contemporary SIGINT and supersonic reconnaissance aircraft.
Faculty and Staff Research Showcase
One of IDRO’s goals is to showcase and celebrate the research success of the College of Design’s faculty and staff. All faculty and staff are encouraged to submit research interests and activities so that IDRO can promote ongoing research on various platforms throughout the college.
A Cyclone in the Making
Find your place at Iowa State University’s College of Design, where we like to ask questions, poke and prod, create something new, and make a difference through design.