University of Maryland Announces New Research Resilience Initiatives

An Announcement from President Darryll J. Pines, Senior Vice President and Provost Jennifer King Rice, and Vice President for Research Patrick O'Shea:

University of Maryland Community,

Over the course of the year, we have all felt the impact of a rapidly evolving federal funding environment. The changes have caused uncertainty and, in some cases, significant shifts for our researchers. We continue to be inspired by the perseverance of our community and are reassured by the continued strength of our research enterprise. We must continue to invest in the people and infrastructure that make this possible.

Yesterday, in partnership with the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), we announced a $7.5 million commitment from the University of Maryland Strategic Partnership: MPowering the State (MPower) to provide targeted support for both UMB and UMD doctoral students, postdocs, and junior faculty who have felt the direct impact of recent cuts to research funding.

This fund, which includes $3.75 million over three years for UMD, is one component of a new set of Research Resilience Initiatives at UMD totalling an initial investment of $8.75 million to safeguard vital research capabilities, support at-risk and early-career scholars, and position our research enterprise for long-term success.

Preserve, Pivot and Grow Program
The university will direct $5 million to preserve strategic institutional investments, support researchers who need to pivot their current portfolio, and continue to grow our research enterprise.

The Preserve, Pivot & Grow Program has two tracks. The first track will accept proposals to support at-risk institutional capabilities that are essential to our research and education missions, as well as institutional initiatives seeking to pivot to new and sustainable sources of funding. The second track will provide short-term funding to enable a principal investigator and/or lab group members to sustain operations impacted by a loss or reduction of funding, or pivot their portfolio to better position them for new and sustainable funding sources.

MPower Early Scholars Investment Fund
This short-term, high-impact initiative is designed to sustain the scholar pipeline and protect our joint UMD-UMB research enterprise. Three distinct funding tracks will support early-career scholars from disciplines impacted by the evolving federal funding environment. The investment includes $1.25 million per year for three years at UMD.

The MPower Early Scholars Investment Fund reflects our shared belief that investing in early scholars today will yield discoveries, innovations and creative breakthroughs that benefit society for years to come.

Building a Resilient Research Enterprise
Research is a centerpiece of our mission and plays an essential role in our work to address the grand challenges of our time. We take great pride in our recognition as one of the most prestigious research universities in the country. Research transforms ideas into impact and we are positioning our research enterprise for long-term success.

We would like to thank the University System of Maryland and Chancellor Jay Perman for their support in making these programs possible, as well as Governor Moore, Senate President Bill Ferguson, House Speaker Adrienne Jones and the Maryland state legislature for continuing to invest in MPower.

Visit the Research Resilience Initiatives website to learn more about these programs, including eligibility, requirements, submission processes and deadlines.

We are proud to make these investments that reflect the strength and impact of our research community.

Sincerely,

Darryll J. Pines
President, University of Maryland

Jennifer King Rice
Senior Vice President and Provost

Patrick O'Shea
Vice President for Research