Undergraduate Research Awards - see video

Undergraduate Research Awards provide up to $1,500 to undergraduate students to support their work with a UMBC faculty mentor on an original project. Students of all years and disciplines are invited to apply, as long as they will continue at UMBC long enough to complete the proposed work.

A multidisciplinary faculty review committee chooses recipients on a competitive basis. Recent projects have included building a comprehensive history of the non-pedal steel guitar, characterizing mutations in ribosomal genes, exploring new approaches to acting techniques, and analysing the work of William Blake.

Near the end of their research year, Undergraduate Research Award Scholars present their research at the annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day.  At the conclusion of the academic year, each student submits a final report summarizing the work supported by the award. These reports take many forms and have included published articles, written papers, CD-ROM submissions, websites, electronic presentations, videotaped artistic works, and artistic installations.

The Undergraduate Research Awards program is funded and managed by the Office of Undergraduate Education. Approximately $45,000 in funding was awarded in May 2007. The program began in 1995 – 1996 as an initiative of the Office of the Provost.

Examples of funded and successful proposals

Key Dates
Monday, February 2, 2009 – First day proposals will be accepted.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009, 5:00 p.m. – Final deadline for submission of proposals, including letters of faculty support – We are unable to grant extensions.

March 23 – April 3, 2009 – Faculty review committees meet.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009 – Applicants are notified of outcomes.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009 –The 2009-2010 Undergraduate Research Award Scholars and their advisors are introduced at the Thirteenth Annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day.

July 1, 2009 – April, 2010 Award period.

Contact Janet McGlynn: 410-455-5754