Bloomington, Indiana – Indiana University Bloomington is taking a bold step into the future of engineering education with a transformative $75 million investment aimed at growing its academic offerings, research capabilities, and faculty expertise in the fast-evolving field of human-centered engineering. This substantial funding will support the launch of multiple new degree programs, the hiring of top-tier faculty, and the development of cutting-edge facilities on campus.
As part of the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, IU Bloomington will introduce a new set of degree programs in high-demand areas such as computer engineering, robotics, bioengineering, nanoengineering and microelectronics, and electrical engineering. These will complement the university’s existing programs in intelligent systems engineering, which have already positioned IU as a key player in interdisciplinary technology education. Some of the new degrees are expected to be available to students as early as next year.
“The significant investment we are making to expand our engineering offerings will prepare our students for high-paying jobs while also creating talent pipelines that fuel innovation and drive economic growth,” said IU President Pamela Whitten. “IU continues to be at the forefront of evolving to meet the needs of today’s students and our state.”
The initiative is part of a broader commitment by Indiana University to modernize and expand its academic landscape to meet growing student interest and workforce needs. In 2024 alone, the Bloomington campus introduced three new undergraduate programs and eight graduate degrees across seven different schools. This engineering expansion represents one of the most ambitious academic developments in recent years.
To support the new programs, IU will hire at least 10 new faculty members within the next year under the Faculty 100 initiative. The recruitment drive will continue in future years to meet ongoing program growth. In addition, significant resources will be dedicated to expanding campus infrastructure, including new wet labs, computer labs, and other modern learning environments.
“This milestone is just the latest in our relentless pursuit of academic excellence, which is at the heart of everything we do at IU Bloomington,” said Provost Rahul Shrivastav. “For the future, we must not only bolster the strengths of our current programs, but also actively evolve to meet demands of a rapidly changing world.”
The new programs are designed with a focus on hands-on learning, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and industry partnerships. Students will have the opportunity to work on real-world challenges and conduct research that aligns with both local economic priorities and global needs. Whether exploring sustainable robotics, advancing healthcare technologies, or contributing to national security solutions, IU’s engineering programs aim to provide students with the tools to lead in both industry and academia.
“We are redefining technology and innovation by keeping humanity firmly at the center of everything we do,” said Joanna Millunchick, dean of the Luddy School. “By integrating emerging fields like robotics, bioengineering and computer engineering with our strengths in AI, high-performance computing, human-computer interaction design and digital humanities, we are equipping students with the technically excellent society-centered skills and experiences to solve the world’s most pressing challenges.”
The investment also aligns with statewide efforts to strengthen Indiana’s role in critical industries like microelectronics, where demand for skilled engineers is rapidly increasing. With IU engineering graduates already contributing to areas such as artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, and aging support technologies, the university hopes this expansion will further solidify its position as a hub of innovation.
These new programs are currently pending approval by the IU Board of Trustees and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, but university leaders are confident that the vision behind the initiative reflects not only academic excellence but also the evolving needs of students and society.
As IU Bloomington continues to invest in its future, the university remains focused on one mission—educating the next generation of engineers and innovators who will shape the world for the better.
