Recognizing that biomedical engineers who work in industry are playing an increasingly important role in the conception, design and manufacturing of health care products, The Whitaker Foundation initiated its Industrial Internship Program in 1996 as a way to bridge colleges and universities with the corporate world.

The grant program helped academic institutions establish or enhance a cooperative education or internship program with private biomedical engineering companies. The goal was to introduce medical-device, pharmaceutical, and other biomedical companies to the talents and capabilities of biomedical engineering students, while giving corporate-bound students valuable hands-on experience leading to job placement.

When successful, it is a win-win-win situation. Students gain professional experience, learn business insights, practice applying their knowledge to real problems, and bring their career possibilities into clearer focus. Companies can draw on the imagination and energy of students, lower their training costs, establish relationships with potential academic collaborators, and evaluate potential hires. Universities gain a new dimension of student training, hone their education programs, establish collaborations, and provide job placement for graduates.

Since the program's inception, a total of 41 grants were made to 33 universities across the United States. It has awarded a total of more than $6 million.

Following is a list of grant recipients. Some institutions have recieved more than one award.

Arizona State University
Boston University
Case Western Reserve University
Catholic University of America
Duke University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Louisiana Tech University
Marquette University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Michigan Technological University
New Jersey Institute of Technology
North Carolina State University
Northwestern University
Ohio State University
Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey
State University of New York, Stony Brook
Texas A&M University
University of Alabama, Birmingham
University of California, San Diego
University of Cincinnati
University of Connecticut
University of Illinois, Chicago
University of Iowa
University of Memphis
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of Pittsburgh
University of Tennessee
University of Texas at Arlington
University of Toledo
University of Virginia
Vanderbilt University
Worcester Polytechnic Institute