The Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) model, developed in 2008 at Georgia Tech and Purdue University, offers a project-based approach to higher education that brings together students, faculty, and graduate students in multidisciplinary teams. These teams work on long-term projects in areas such as research, design, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
The VIP model has been widely adopted by institutions worldwide and is supported by the VIP Consortium, a nonprofit alliance dedicated to helping educational institutions establish and sustain successful VIP programs. The Consortium’s mission is to foster the growth and success of VIP initiatives globally, enabling transformative educational experiences for students.
Over the past 20 years, the VIP model has been continually studied and refined. In 2015, a $5 million multi-institutional grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust supported the expansion of VIP programs across numerous institutions, collectively forming the VIP Consortium. By 2019, the Consortium’s achievements were recognized with the ABET Innovation Award for advancing the model and fostering collaboration among member institutions.
That same year, VIP Consortium, Inc. was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, with VIP program directors serving as its academic advisory council. The Consortium provides a platform for member institutions to share best practices and collaborate on the ongoing enhancement and dissemination of the VIP model worldwide.