The mission of the Design for Innovation program is to enable all eligible faculty and researchers at Princeton, regardless of discipline, to have direct, real-world impact beyond the academy.

Our offering: expertise, time, funding and connections

Translating findings and insights to impact is challenging. There is no one size fits all. The program directors have extensive firsthand experience in driving sustained societal impact at scale. They recognize the complexity of this journey and the wide-ranging skills required. The Keller Center is offering their time and expertise in translation and scaling for societal impact. Further, the program provides up to $50K in the first phase to support such translation. Finally, recognizing that it takes many stakeholders to create impact, the program will help develop networks to scaffold and nurture the interventions being deployed.

Direct impact

The focus of the program is to enable faculty to have direct, societally-beneficial impact derived from, but extending beyond, scholarship and dissemination. Direct impact can take many forms. It might entail addressing important societal issues head-on, e.g., disparities in healthcare or education, increasing misinformation, etc. Alternately, it might involve societally beneficial instruments or technologies in areas like renewable energy, healthcare, energy efficient computing, etc. Impact may be through external partners or direct engagement. Similarly, long-term financial sustainability might be through public and charitable funds, or other models. The program directors will use their expertise to help faculty navigate these options.

Design: From ideas to viable real-world blueprints

Direct impact requires translating a scholarly insight or innovative idea to a detailed, evolving blueprint that can be executed in the real world. Developing the blueprint requires an in-depth understanding of the ecosystem – its stakeholders and dynamics. It also requires designing interventions, recruiting teams, forging partnerships, fundraising, and communicating the overall vision. All of this must be undertaken while being alert to possible unintended consequences, including exacerbating current inequities. The program directors will help faculty manage these myriad aspects through systematic design that is alert to context, history and culture.

External partnerships

Impact rooted in communities requires partnerships with external organizations. For some projects the trust that these organizations have built with their communities is vital to enabling impact. For others, it is the partner’s understanding of the ecosystem and its constraints. The program will offer advice on picking the right partners, and structuring and navigating partnerships.

Taking the long view

The program envisions a close and long-term engagement between participating faculty and program personnel and the Keller Center, beyond grants and ad-hoc advice. The Center recognizes that beneficial social impact is a long journey that takes years, and sometimes decades. It requires resolve, clarity of vision, continuity of teams, sustained funding, and strong partnerships. The Center is committed to supporting faculty on that journey.