Draper Laboratory Engineering Solutions to Problems of National Significance
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Fequently Asked Questions

1. In which Divisions of Draper Laboratory can Draper Fellows perform research?

2. What are the issues associated with being a Draper Fellow at a university other than MIT?

3. What are the research degree programs at MIT?

4. Does MIT allow part-time students?

5. What is the Draper Fellow monthly stipend?

In which Divisions of Draper Laboratory can Draper Fellows perform research?

It is helpful for potential Draper Fellows and other students to identify which Divisions of the Laboratory would be of interest to them as places to work. A list of Draper Engineering Divisions and representative activities follows.

  • Advanced Hardware Development Division
    • Microelectronics Modules (Analog, Digital, and RF)
    • Multichip Modules (MCM)
    • Advanced MEMS Packaging
    • Chip Scale Package (CSP) and Flip Chip-based Packaging Schemes
    • High-g Packaging
    • Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and Low-temp Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC)-based Techniques
    • Stereo Lithography and Rapid Prototyping
    • Micro-electro-mechanical Systems (MEMS) Design and Fabrication
    • Micro-optics Device Design and Fabrication
    • Integration Technologies for Microsystems Development
  • Electronics Division
    • Electronics Design
    • Analog Circuit Design
    • Digital Circuit Design
    • Embedded Systems
    • Microelectronics
    • RF & Communications Systems
    • Wireless Network Design
  • Guidance Hardware Division
    • Guidance/Navigation Systems
    • Gyros and Accelerometers
    • Precision Assembly/Materials
    • Electro-Optic Sensors and Imaging Systems
    • Radiation Effects and Design Hardening
  • Guidance, Navigation, and Control Systems Division
    • Navigation Analysis and System Synthesis
    • Guidance and Control Algorithms
    • GPS and Inertial Navigation
    • Mission Design and Analysis
    • Avionics Architecture
    • Real-Time Embedded Processing
    • Fault-Tolerant Computing
    • Reliable Software
  • Mechanical Division
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Dynamics
    • Land, Air, Sea Robotics
    • Mechanical Design and Analysis
    • Precision Manufacturing
    • Rapid Prototyping
    • Nanoscale Devices
    • Biomedical Engineering
    • Unmanned Vehicles
    • Gyros and Accelerometers
    • Materials Science and Engineering
  • Mission Systems Division
    • Software System Architectures
    • Autonomous Mission Control Software
    • Manned/Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle Control
    • Software Modeling, Analysis and Validation
    • Resource Management and Control
    • Applied Signal Processing
    • Information (e.g. data, imagery, and signals) Exploitation
    • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Systems Engineering and Analysis Division
    • Requirements Analysis
    • System Architecting for Prototype Development
    • System Performance Evaluation
    • Risk Management
    • Fault-tolerant System Design
  • System Integration, Test and Evaluation Division
    • Inertial Instrument Test and Evaluation
    • System Integration and Test
    • MEMS Development, Assessment, and Test
    • Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS) Integration and Simulation
    • Strategic Inertial Component and System Test
    • Test Equipment Electronics Design, Validation, and Verification
    • Site Integration Support
  • Tactical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Division
    • Guided Munitions Guidance, Navigation and Control (GN&C)
    • Precision Aerial Delivery
    • Robotic Vehicle GN&C
    • GPS/INS Navigation
    • GPS Denied Navigation
    • GPS Customization
    • GN&C, Maneuvering, Tactics for Autonomous Vehicles
    • Digital Signal Processing
    • Real-Time Embedded Software
What are the issues associated with being a Draper Fellow at a university other than MIT?

A requirement of the Draper Fellow Program is that participating students perform their thesis research on Draper premises under the direct supervision of a qualified Draper Technical Staff member as well as a faculty advisor from the student’s university. In addition to its headquarters in Cambridge, Mass., Draper has a number of site offices (for example, in Houston, Texas), however, they are few and they have far fewer staff than Draper’s headquarters. This reduces the likelihood that students will be able to arrange to conduct thesis research at the site offices. Also, a faculty member must be found to help supervise the Draper Fellow’s research at Draper and interface with the supervising Draper Technical Staff member. Additionally, for a student to participate in the Draper Fellow Program, the student’s university must have in place written agreements with Draper Laboratory that protect Draper's intellectual property rights. Other conditions also may apply. Contact the Education Office to discuss these and other issues.

What are the research degree programs at MIT?

Only students admitted to research-based graduate degree programs can become Draper Fellows. At MIT, eligible programs include

  • traditional master’s (S.M.) and doctoral (Sc.D. or Ph.D.) programs in the School of Engineering or in the School of Science

  • M.Eng. degree program in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department.

Ineligible MIT programs include the professional degree programs as defined by the MIT Graduate Education Office, including the MBA, LFM, SDM, Chemical Engineering Practice, CRE, CAES, SM12 Geosystems, and all M.Eng. programs (except the M.Eng. degree in EECS, as noted in the preceding paragraph).

For information about the eligibility of a particular graduate program, consult Draper’s Education Office.

Does MIT allow part-time students?

MIT does not allow part-time studies for graduate degrees, so students must be registered as full-time students to obtain an MIT degree. A Draper Fellow is considered to be a full-time student who is involved with course work and research. The course load is limited to about one-half the full-time course load.

However, under a special arrangement with MIT, a Draper Staff member is allowed to take one MIT course per semester as a Special Student during the day and receive tuition reimbursement (MIT does not offer evening courses). In some circumstances, these courses may count toward a graduate degree if the student is accepted later into an MIT graduate degree program as a full-time student. At some point, all students must become full-time students to receive an MIT degree. A number of Draper Staff have become Draper Fellows in order to satisfy the MIT residency requirement. Consult the Education Office for more information.

What is the Draper Fellow monthly stipend?

The monthly stipend changes every year, varies by university, and depends on the degree level of the student. The stipend rates are set by the universities, not by Draper Laboratory. Check with the Education Office for current rates. In all cases, however, tuition is fully covered by the Laboratory for a Draper Fellow.