$3 million is invested in the future and to kick-start new research in critical areas of paramount importance to the state and the nation.
The Joint Steering Council of the University of Maryland Strategic Partnership: MPowering the State (MPower), a formal collaboration of the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) and the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP), has awarded funding to 17 targeted collaborative research seed grants led jointly by UMB and UMCP researchers.
After a review and ranking of 52 submissions by faculty peers from both UMB and UMCP, the Steering Council awarded a total of $3 million to invest in the future and kick-start new research in critical areas of paramount importance to the state and the nation. The funding of projects ranges from $49,000 to $250,000 per award, for durations of six to 24 months.
The selected teams capitalize on the research expertise of UMB and UMCP and showcase collaboration across multiple colleges and schools. Teams consist of researchers from 12 schools and colleges, including UMCP’s A. James Clark School of Engineering, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, College of Arts and Humanities, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Robert H. Smith School of Business, College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, and College of Education, and UMB’s schools of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, law, and social work.
The six targeted research areas are: Artificial Intelligence and Medicine; Cybersecurity and Homeland Security; Neuroscience and Aging; Pandemic Readiness, Resilience, and Mitigation; Racial and Social Justice; and Violence and Crime Reduction.
“These seed grant awards highlight the outstanding interdisciplinary and high-impact research faculty in Baltimore and College Park are conducting to address the most complex challenges society is facing,” said Gregory F. Ball, PhD, vice president for research at UMB and UMCP. “My hope is that these grants strengthen current collaborations, promote new ones and lead to future funding opportunities to support innovative and transformative research.”