The goals for the Engineering Design and Advanced Manufacturing (EDAM) focus area are to develop a new paradigm for engineering education that closely links high quality research to curricular programs, and, to promote an entrepreneurial approach to knowledge-based manufacturing and competitive product design.

The educational program offers two degrees that integrate both engineering and management practices. The degree programs involve instructors from both MIT and Portugal.

The EDAM research agenda places a high priority on projects that enhance course delivery in the two degree programs and enable new collaborations between Portuguese and MIT researchers and industrial affiliates.

The EDAM focus area has also developed relationships with companies as part of the Industrial Affiliates program. Through these relationships, companies may sponsor research, offer internships, sponsor employees to enroll in academic programs, send employees to executive seminars or identify other ways to become involved.