Nurturing Excellence in Technology and Software
NEXT Studio serves as the bridge between classroom learning and professional practice.
Students apply what they learn through real-world projects with industry partners, research labs, startups, nonprofits, and university initiatives.
Get InvolvedStudents build technical knowledge through existing University of Oregon coursework and apply that knowledge through authentic projects. NEXT complements the curriculum by creating opportunities to put classroom learning into professional practice.
Students collaborate on real projects with industry partners, research labs, startups, nonprofits, and university initiatives. The work involves real stakeholders, requirements, constraints, decisions, and outcomes.
Students participate at a level appropriate to their preparation and goals, progressing from project contributor to team leadership and senior product, technical, or founder responsibilities.
NEXT Studio connects academic preparation with real-world practice through authentic projects spanning university initiatives, startups, community organizations, research, and industry. Students can participate through coursework, research, relevant experience, and paid project opportunities.
NEXT builds on existing University of Oregon courses that prepare students for increasing levels of responsibility on real projects.
Contributor roles
Learn to work effectively on real projects.
Team lead roles
Learn to manage execution and collaboration.
Founder, product lead, and technical lead roles
Learn to deliver strategic outcomes.
These courses provide a structured educational foundation, while students may also participate in NEXT through other qualifying coursework, research and grant-funded projects, relevant experience, and paid project work.
Across these experiences, students develop professional practices for working with contemporary tools and technologies, including the effective and responsible use of AI.
Students put their skills into practice across a range of project environments.
University & Research Initiatives
Collaborate with university departments, programs, faculty, and research groups on technology projects that advance education, research, and university initiatives, including opportunities involving AI research, applications, and emerging technologies.
From Ideas to Viable Products
Help startups and emerging ventures turn ideas into prototypes, products, and technical solutions, including innovative applications of AI and emerging technologies.
Technology in Service of Community
Work with nonprofits, public organizations, and community partners to develop technology solutions that support their missions and create meaningful community impact.
Industry Experience with Real Stakes
Work with established organizations on real technology challenges involving professional stakeholders, organizational requirements, and real-world constraints.
NEXT creates a mutually reinforcing ecosystem. Students gain meaningful experience before graduation, partners gain visibility into emerging talent and university expertise, and the university strengthens connections among education, research, innovation, and workforce development.
Graduates enter the workforce with competitive skills and real experience, not just theory.
Departments and research centers gain a reliable channel for innovation and practical technological advancement.
Businesses and public agencies access fresh ideas and technical talent from UO students.
Connect students to real projects and mentorship that turn early ideas into practical, shipped innovations.
A launchpad for student founders, supporting venture formation, MVP development, and early customer validation.
Driving technological capability, economic opportunity, and cross-sector collaboration across Oregon.
