Manufacturing: From Fundamentals to the Future

Call for Applications

Manufacturing: From Fundamentals to the Future
Two‑Week Summer Course at MIT | July 20–31, 2026
Students from MIT & Portuguese Universities

Overview

We invite applications for a two‑week, intensive, hands‑on summer course focused on modern manufacturing, jointly offered to students from MIT and Portuguese universities. The course combines foundational manufacturing processes with emerging topics in computational design, additive manufacturing, and the future of production systems.

The program is designed for highly motivated undergraduate and early graduate students with a strong interest in manufacturing and a clear connection between manufacturing and their academic studies or career goals.

The cohort will include 24 students total (approximately 12 from MIT and 12 from Portugal).

The course is supported by the MIT Portugal Program, the MIT Center for Advanced Production Technologies, the MIT Laboratory for Manufacturing and Productivity, and the MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering. Sponsorship is via the MIT Portugal Program.

Course Description

Manufacturing: From Fundamentals to the Future introduces students to the physical and digital processes used to design, manufacture, inspect, and scale real products. It is built upon MIT’s “2.008: Fundamentals of Manufacturing Processes” class, with additional emphasis on emerging topics and advanced production technologies.

• Pre-course materials introduce students to key principles of  manufacturing, spanning common manufacturing processes, operating physics, and considerations of throughput, cost, quality, and flexibility.
• Week 1 focuses on manufacturing at scale through a hands‑on yo‑yo design and manufacturing project, covering injection molding, thermoforming, metrology, and quality inspection.
• Week 2 focuses on additive and emerging manufacturing, using computational design tools and advanced 3D printing methods in a competition‑based project.
• The course concludes with discussions on production planning and the future of manufacturing, including AI for design and operations, factory simulation, and digital twins.

The course will be taught by:

• Dr. Josh Ramos, Laboratory for Manufacturing & Productivity, MIT
• Wade Warman, Laboratory for Manufacturing & Productivity, MIT
• Thomas Garcia, Laboratory for Manufacturing & Productivity, MIT
• Dr. Mandana Moshiri, Center for Advanced Production Technologies, MIT
• Haden Quinlan, Center for Advanced Production Technologies, MIT
• Prof. Samuel Moniz, Faculty of Sciences & Technology, University of Coimbra
• Prof. John Hart, Mechanical Engineering, MIT

(Full syllabus and learning objectives are provided at the end of this call.)

Application Timeline

• Applications Open: April 10, 2026
• Applications Close: May 8, 2026, 11:59pm (23:59) Lisbon Time
• Notification of Acceptance: May 15, 2026

Ideal Applicant Profile

We are seeking applicants who meet most or all of the following criteria:

• Academic Level
  • Junior or senior (final year) undergraduate, or graduate student (MS, early PhD, or equivalent)
  • First‑year graduate  students with a focus on manufacturing, process design, or related fields are especially welcome
• Academic Background
  • A general proficiency in foundational mechanical engineering topics (e.g., mechanics of materials, design, heat transfer) is desired, but not required. We welcome motivated and hands-on oriented applicants from materials science/engineering, electrical engineering, and other fields.
  • In addition to engineering-focused backgrounds, we also welcome students with a background focused on engineering or industrial engineering and management
• Interest in Manufacturing
  • A strong, clearly articulated interest in manufacturing
  • A demonstrable link between manufacturing and the applicant’s current or planned studies, research, or career goals
  • Clear evidence that participation in this course would provide skills and knowledge not already possessed
• Commitment
  • Willingness to complete 10–20 hours of required pre‑work prior to the start of the course
  • Expectation of a fast‑paced, hands‑on, and demanding two‑week experience on-campus at MIT in Cambridge, MA

Eligibility Notes

• Open to students currently enrolled at MIT or at Portuguese universities
• MIT applicants must not have taken and not plan to take 2.008 and/or 2.810
• Instruction will be conducted in English; applicants are expected to have sufficient English proficiency to participate fully 
• The course staff reserve the right to withdraw or rescind an offer of admission under any of the following conditions: 

1. Any part of your application contains misrepresentations;
2. You engage in behavior that brings into question your honesty, maturity, or professional suitability; or
3. You engage in conduct that violates MIT policy.

All admission decisions are final.

Application Materials

Applicants must submit the following materials to slideroom by May 8th, 11:59pm (23:59) Lisbon Time:

1. Curriculum Vitae or Resume (Required)

Please upload a current CV (PDF). You may optionally include links to:

• Your academic background and current program of study
• A portfolio or personal website
• (OPTIONAL) Any coursework, projects, research, internships, or industry experience related to manufacturing
• Past projects (academic, research, industry, or personal) relevant to manufacturing or design

2. Statement of Interest (Required)

Maximum length: 1 page (strict limit; word count of 750 enforced), written by yourself without the use of AI / LLM tools in generation and/or editing of the text.

Please address all of the following points clearly and concisely:

• Your experience with manufacturing topics and processes (if any)
• The role manufacturing plays—or will play—in your studies or career goals
• Why this course is important for you at this stage of your education
• What skills, knowledge, or perspectives you hope to gain that you do not already possess

Strong applications will demonstrate:

• A specific and compelling connection between manufacturing and the applicant’s academic or professional trajectory
• A clear explanation of how the course will provide direct and tangible benefit

3. English Language Proficiency (Required)

A short self‑attestation confirming that you are comfortable participating in a fast‑paced, technical course conducted entirely in English. TOEFL or other test results are encouraged but not required.

4. Letter of Recommendation (Optional)

One letter of recommendation may be submitted but is not required.
Letters should comment on the applicant’s motivation, work ethic, and fit for an intensive, hands‑on learning environment, and the benefit that the course would present to the applicant’s career (if known).

Travel, Lodging and Meals

For all Participants: Breakfast and lunch will be provided on each day, Monday through Friday, during the program. One or more group dinners may be scheduled, but generally you will be responsible for your own meals during the evenings and weekends.

For Participants from Portugal: Participants from Portugal will be provided with accommodation near MIT during the days of the workshop. Participants will be responsible for arranging their own air travel and will be reimbursed for 50% of (reasonable) costs after they return from the workshop. Participants will be responsible for all additional expenses. 

The workshop program includes intensive full-day schedules. Please do not plan any extracurricular and personal activities that are in conflict with the workshop schedule.

For Participants from MIT: No travel or lodging support is provided.