Human Powered Submarine Finance Team

Human Powered Submarine Finance Team

Oraganization

UCSD Jacobs School of Engineering

Type

Academic

Year

2025-2026

Location

San Diego, California, USA

Status

In Progress

Managed budgeting, grant acquisition, and sponsorship outreach supporting a two-year engineering build program for UCSD’s Human Powered Submarine competition team.

Project Overview

Project Name

UC San Diego Human Powered Submarine Program

Client / Organization Background

The Human Powered Submarine (HPS) program is a multidisciplinary engineering initiative where student teams design, build, and race underwater vehicles powered solely by human propulsion. Teams compete internationally in the International Submarine Races, a biennial engineering competition held at the U.S. Navy’s Naval Surface Warfare Center in Maryland.

The challenge requires teams to design and construct a fully functional submerged vehicle capable of completing a timed 100-meter underwater course while maximizing speed, maneuverability, and safety.

These projects emulate real-world engineering programs by requiring coordinated systems engineering, fabrication, logistics planning, and funding acquisition.

Objective

Support the financial operations necessary to sustain a multi-year engineering project by developing budgets, coordinating sponsorship outreach, and securing grants required for submarine fabrication, testing, and competition deployment.

Scope

• Develop financial planning frameworks for a multi-year engineering build program
• Identify grant opportunities and prepare funding proposals
• Coordinate sponsor outreach and partnership discussions
• Manage procurement budgeting for fabrication materials and components
• Track project expenditures to ensure long-term financial sustainability

Key Details

Institution
University of California San Diego

Competition
International Submarine Races (ISR)

Project Timeline
Two-year engineering design and build cycle

Team Composition
Multidisciplinary engineering team including mechanical, structural, electrical, and systems engineers

Competition Challenge
Design and construct a human-powered submarine capable of achieving maximum speed across a controlled underwater race course.

Core Engineering Systems
• Hydrodynamic hull design
• Human-powered propulsion system
• Structural composite fabrication
• Control and guidance systems
• Safety and life-support systems

Execution

Phase 1 — Budget Development

Constructed project budgets forecasting costs across fabrication, materials procurement, testing infrastructure, and competition travel.

Identified high-cost engineering components including composite materials, propulsion systems, machining, and underwater testing equipment.

Developed budget projections supporting a multi-semester engineering design timeline.

Phase 2 — Grant Acquisition Strategy

Researched institutional and external funding opportunities including university grants, STEM development funds, and engineering sponsorship programs.

Prepared grant proposals highlighting the educational impact and engineering innovation of the Human Powered Submarine program.

Supported documentation for sustainability and innovation funding initiatives.

Phase 3 — Sponsorship Development

Conducted sponsor outreach targeting engineering firms, manufacturing companies, and marine technology organizations.

Developed sponsorship materials explaining project scope, engineering goals, and visibility opportunities for industry partners.

Coordinated discussions with potential partners interested in supporting student engineering development programs.

Phase 4 — Procurement and Financial Coordination

Tracked project expenditures and ensured budget allocations aligned with engineering timelines.

Coordinated procurement planning with engineering leads to ensure critical components were acquired ahead of fabrication phases.

Maintained financial documentation supporting transparency and accountability within the engineering organization.

Results and Outcome

Outcome

Operational Funding Stability
Established budgeting frameworks enabling the engineering team to sustain a multi-year development cycle.

Expanded Sponsorship Pipeline
Supported outreach and engagement with potential industry sponsors interested in engineering innovation and student development.

Engineering Project Continuity
Ensured the team maintained access to the financial resources required to support design, fabrication, and testing phases.

Program Growth
Contributed to the financial infrastructure supporting UC San Diego’s continued participation in the International Submarine Races.