Distributed Design – Master in Design in Emergent Futures Scholarship
Distributed Design and Fab Lab Barcelona at IAAC, in collaboration with Elisava, are offering one 50 % scholarship for a Europe based designer for the Master in Design for Emergent Futures (MDEF) 8th Edition (October 2025 – June 2026/June 2027).
Organised by Fab Lab Barcelona at IAAC and ELISAVA Barcelona School of Design and Engineering, MDEF integrates theory and practice in a multidisciplinary approach. It pushes design beyond aesthetics to tackle complex systemic challenges with a multiscalar and hands-on methodology. Rooted in personal interests and professional backgrounds, the programme fosters critical and practical engagement with tools like AI, synthetic biology, and digital fabrication to reimagine how we live, work, and relate to the world around us. The scholarship covers 50% of the total tuition costs of the MDEF program for one designer as well as the opportunity to participate in yearly activities of the Distributed Design Platform.
APPLY HERE
About the Course
MDEF is a multidisciplinary course for hybrid designers capable of transforming ideas into interdisciplinary projects grounded in their background and interests. The programme explores design beyond the human scale through hands-on experimentation with AI, digital fabrication, synthetic biology, and more—equipping students to critically engage with a rapidly changing world and materialize alternative presents.
The programme is built on four pillars—Exploration, Instrumentation, Reflection, and Application—guiding students in developing a strategic vision and flexible skill set for uncertain futures. It culminates in a design intervention that addresses hyperlocal needs in Barcelona while engaging with global trends. Graduates apply their expertise across a wide range of fields, from governance and new materials to sustainable food systems.
MDEF offers advanced instruction in digital fabrication through collaborative courses with Fab Academy, led by Neil Gershenfeld of MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms.
The international environment at IAAC and Elisava welcomes students from 70+ countries and over 200 disciplines, which provides all students on campus the opportunity to expand their professional and personal experiences. Students in the MDEF course engage in courses across IAAC, Fab Lab Barcelona, and ELISAVA facilities.
More information can be found here.
How to apply for the Scholarship
To apply please complete the form below by May 30 2025 – 23:59 (CET)*
Applications may be made in English. Applicants should upload the following with their applications:
- 1-Minute presentation video.
- Portfolio in the form of a website, online profile or PDF showing your design work.
- A 1-page PDF letter of motivation explaining why you as a designer want to join the Master in Design for Emergent Futures.
*If you have already applied to the MDEF program please indicate it when filling-in the form by clicking the checkbox.
Applicant Requirements
In order to participate, candidates must:
- Hold a first-level academic diploma or Bachelor degree, or about to graduate within the academic year 2024/2025.
- Have a proficient level of English.
- Be based in Europe
Application timeline
- May 15th: Applications open
- May 30th: Applications close
- June 2nd – 4th: Review by internal jury
- June 4th – 8th: Winner acceptance
- Week of June 9th: Scholarship announcement
- October 2025: MDEF program starts
Selection Committee
The selections will be with input from MDEF program Directors, Guillem Camprodon and Saul Baeza, the program coordinator Chiara Dall’Olio and the Fab Lab Barcelona Distributed Design team.
Selection Criteria
Ideal applicants should be able to display an ability to apply experimentation and design theory through invention, imagination, speculation, and demonstrate skill sets of prototyping, scenario building, and foresight.