Grants and Funding

Supports faculty and staff projects that strengthen access, engagement, and belonging across the University, emphasizing interprofessional and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Purpose:
The Access and Engagement Innovation Grant funds initiatives that integrate UMB’s core values of equity and justice to advance University culture, engagement, and belonging. This program advances institutional effectiveness while reinforcing UMB’s role as a leader in innovation and inclusive excellence. Projects should align with and directly support Theme 3 of the 2022-2026 UMB Strategic Plan. Projects are expected to create meaningful impact on campus and demonstrate sustainable practices. 

Eligibility:

• Interprofessional and interdisciplinary projects (at least two schools or units)
• Collaboration between faculty and staff
• Focus on the UMB campus community
• Projects must address access and engagement

Proposal Requirements:

• Project title
• Roles and responsibilities of contributors
• Description of goals, methods, and expected impact
• Work plan including timeline, milestones, deliverables, and evaluation plan
• Budget (up to $10,000) with narrative justification

Submission Instructions:

Submit all documents via the Access and Engagement Submission Form by November 24, 2025.

• Innovation Grant Application
• Budget Template
• CVs/resumes of primary applicants and supervisor support letter.

Funding and Timeline:

• Maximum award: $10,000; typical awards: $2,000–$7,000
• Funds disbursed in two installments: initial award and follow-up six months later
• Key dates:
  • Application opens: Sept 29, 2025
  • Application deadline: Nov 24, 2025
  • Award notification: Jan 9, 2026
  • Progress convening: Fall 2026
  • Final report due: June 30, 2027
  • Final convening: Fall 2027

Post-Award Requirements:

• Present progress at Fall 2026 convening and final results at Fall 2027 convening
• Community-based projects must present outcomes to their target communities

Impact Examples:

• Inclusive teaching initiatives
• Expanded access and engagement programs
• Campus-wide dialogue and connection initiatives

Past Recipients (2023–2024):

• Faculty Educational Training Program – trauma-informed pedagogy
• Universal Access and Engagement Micro-Credentials
• Critical Conversations Dialogue Program (CCDP)

Co-sponsorship requests support programs, events, and initiatives that align with UMB’s strategic priorities and core values. This mechanism allows collaboration across units, fostering innovation and engagement while leveraging IEIE’s expertise and resources.

Form Submission Requirements:

• Program/Event Title and Overview
• Target Audience
• Goals, Objectives, and Activities
• Proposed Date, Time, and Number of Participants
• Budget, Budget Breakdown, and Amount Requested
• Any additional non-financial support needed 

Acknowledgment:
All purchases using university resources must comply with UMB finance and procurement policies.

Direct questions to excellence@umaryland.edu.

Apply for Support

In partnership with the Faculty Senate, the Diversity Advisory Council, the Office of the Interim Provost, and the deans, UMB maintains an institutional membership with the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD).

Overview

NCFDD is an independent faculty development center that supports academics in making successful transitions throughout their careers. It provides online career development and mentoring resources for faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate students. Through webinars, workshops, and discussion forums, NCFDD offers guidance on productivity, time management, writing, and work-life balance to support long-term academic success.

Institutional Membership

UMB's institutional membership provides no-cost access to NCFDD resources for faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate students across the University.

How to Access NCFDD Resources

To activate your membership:

• Visit facultydiversity.org/join
• Select the institution from the list of Institutional Members
• Click “Activate Your Membership” on the institution’s page
• Register using your institutional email address (@youruniversity.edu)
• Confirm your account through the welcome email

Support

For questions about the program, contact Reetta Gach, Director of Programs.