YCC Builder's Dream Board

Your project stalled because of an $80 part?

We fund the physical components blocking hardware projects meant for Yale's campus. Microcontrollers, sensors, motors, prototyping supplies — the $40–$150 that stands between your design and a deployed system. Apply in 5 minutes, hear back within a week.

How It Works

Micro-grants for real hardware

Step 1

Apply

Fill out the form — describe your project, list the components you need with prices, and tell us where on campus it'll be deployed.

Step 2

Review

YCC Tech Division reviews applications on a rolling basis. You'll hear back within one week.

Step 3

Get your parts

Approved applicants get reimbursed after purchase or we procure the components directly through the YCC.

Step 4

Build & deploy

Ship your project on campus. Submit a brief follow-up update at the end of the semester so we can showcase what got built.

What We Fund

✓ Microcontrollers (Arduino, ESP32, Teensy, etc.)
✓ Single-board computers (Raspberry Pi, Jetson Nano)
✓ Sensors, actuators, motor drivers
✓ Prototyping supplies (breadboards, wiring, enclosures)
✓ Other physical components essential to your project

✕ Not covered: labor, software licenses, cloud hosting, overhead

Apply Now

Component Grant Application

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Environmental Sensors

Air quality monitors, temperature/humidity sensors for dorms, noise level trackers for libraries — the kind of data that makes campus life measurably better.

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Automation Systems

Automated composting, smart lighting, irrigation controllers for campus gardens — systems that solve real operational problems at Yale.

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IoT & Robotics

Connected devices, location beacons, robotic prototypes — anything with a microcontroller and a purpose beyond the lab bench.