Apply for Immersive Visualization Institute 2026
Michigan State University is once again offering the Immersive Visualization Institute (IVI), an in-person program that provides graduate students and faculty with the opportunity to explore the pedagogical potential of large-scale immersive visualization platforms on campus.
Applications are due by March 22, 2026 and the program will run June 8-11, 2026. Online applications are accepted here.
This competitive program will provide participants with hands-on experience using:
- The Abrams Planetarium
- 360 Degree Panoramic Display Space in the Library’s Digital Scholarship Lab
- Science On a Sphere at the MSU Museum
Immersive Visualization Institute (IVI) Graduate Fellows will learn about the affordances and limitations of each technology and how they are best suited for different types of visual representation. Participants will learn techniques for producing content for these displays and explore interdisciplinary ideas for capitalizing on one or more of the platforms. This is a great opportunity to learn how to apply the technologies to your work and experiment with inter-disciplinary ideas.
“This institute is a unique opportunity for graduate students to experiment with cutting-edge visualization technologies and think creatively about how immersive media can transform teaching, research, and engagement,” said Carrie Wicker, co-convener of the IVI Summer Institute and MSU Museum educator. “Whether you are a scientist, an artist, or historian, these tools open up new ways to communicate complex ideas and make learning more dynamic.”
Graduate students may apply individually or with a faculty member mentor. Selection is competitive and limited to 10 graduate students. A $550.00 stipend is awarded to participating students. Students must be enrolled for Spring 2026 and/or Summer 2026 semester in order to participate.
Co-conveners include MSU Graduate School, Abrams Planetarium, MSU Libraries, and MSU Museum. Please email questions to Carrie Wicker (wickerca@msu.edu).