As we prepare for the 2027 UM Scholars cycle, faculty are invited to serve as a research mentor for this year’s cohort of UM Scholars at UMSON.
About the Program:
UM Scholars is a signature initiative of the University of Maryland Strategic Partnership: MPowering the State (MPower), a collaboration between the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) and the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP). The program offers undergraduate students a unique 10-week summer research experience that bridges both campuses and connects them with faculty mentors engaged in innovative and impactful research. At UMSON, our scholars spend four days per week working directly with their mentors on research activities and one day per week participating in professional development sessions. These sessions are designed to strengthen their research skills, academic professionalism, and leadership as future nurses and health professionals.
How Scholars Support Faculty Research Initiatives:
UM Scholars are prepared to contribute meaningfully to a wide range of research tasks and can help advance your program of research through activities such as:
- data cleaning and statistical support
- literature searches and synthesis for manuscripts development
- assistance with study recruitment and participant engagement
- IRB and regulatory support tasks (as appropriate)
- translating findings into posters and presentations
- assisting in lab or clinical research settings
- compiling and organizing research materials, tools, or datasets
Hands-On Research Experience:
A key objective of the UM Scholars program is to provide students with direct, hands-on exposure to the research process. Scholars should be engaged in meaningful research activities beyond reading and literature review, so they can actively participate in ongoing projects and successfully prepare for their final poster and oral presentations. Literature review may certainly be part of the experience but should not be the only activity assigned.
Mentor Expectations:
As a UM Scholar mentor, you are expected to:
- provide a structured and supportive research experience for 10 weeks (May 25 – Aug. 1, 2027)
- meet regularly with your student(s) to guide their progress
- assign meaningful research-related activities such as:
- data analysis and dataset cleaning
- literature reviews and manuscript support
- shadowing lab or clinical research teams
- attending study visits or research meetings
- support your scholar’s development toward their end-of-summer poster and oral presentation
Program Funding:
Scholars receive a summer research stipend funded through the MPower initiative. Faculty mentors are not responsible for student wages or administrative support, allowing full focus on the research mentoring experience.
This mentorship is an opportunity to engage with highly motivated students who aspire to matriculate from UMCP to UMSON, contributing to the next generation of nurse leaders and researchers.
If you would like to participate as a mentor for summer 2027, please complete the UM Scholars Mentor Interest Form by Friday, Nov. 20.
If you have any questions about the program or expectations, please contact Tamara Jackson at tamara.jackson@umaryland.edu.