FAQ’s

The application deadline for the 23-24 year is closed..

The application should describe a project that is valuable and feasible. The student should demonstrate appropriate base-line knowledge of the subject. The committee looks favorably on situations where the student has completed a literature review and demonstrates some mastery of the techniques to be applied. The URA application form provides sample responses to guide students in accordance with the review committee’s expectations.

Yes, interdisciplinary work is encouraged. Students with interdisciplinary proposals are encouraged to have a mentor in each key discipline. Students may specify with which discipline their proposal should be evaluated, or ask that it be evaluated, by two or more discipline-specific sub groups.

You can apply online, but the 2023 – 2024 applications are closed.

Students should pick topics for which they have a passion. A review of the abstracts of work completed by prior recipients may be helpful.

Yes. The maximum stipend for any single project is $1,500, but there is precedent for teams of two, three, or four students working collaboratively. The project payment must be provided in the name of only one student.

No, although it is possible for students to receive funding to continue research. It is also intended that the research be conducted in conjunction with UMBC-sponsored programs and with the mentorship of UMBC faculty.

Because awards are made in April, May’s graduates are not eligible. Students planning to graduate in August or December should demonstrate in the proposal that their work can be completed before their graduation.

Yes. In these cases we ask the faculty mentor to submit a confidential letter to the URA committee indicating a ranking of his or her recommendations. This is not to say that only one student per faculty mentor will be funded, but the URA committee values the faculty member’s rankings if and when the members must decide between two projects.

The awards are primarily merit-based. It is, however, permissible for the faculty letter of recommendation to additionally comment on the student’s financial need.

Funds are awarded to the most deserving proposals, as determined by the committee. A concerted effort is made each year to encourage submissions from all disciplines. The review committee has not bound itself to any disciplinary quotas nor to awards proportionate to the distribution of the applicant pool.

• Award recipients are expected to present their research at URCAD in April
• URA Scholars will enroll in a 0-credit, no-cost PRAC through the Career Center
• Attend required workshops during the semester
• Complete required online check-in surveys
• Turn in a final report that summarizes the completed research and distribution of funds.

ENTR URAs provide up to $1,500 to undergraduate researchers to support the development of a solution to either a technical or social problem in collaboration with a UMBC faculty mentor. These solutions can be products or services, address a social or “green” concern, or promote ideas that generate artistic value. To be eligible for an Entrepreneurship URA, you must be enrolled as a UMBC student for the duration of the work proposed. For more information, contact Vivian Armor, Director, Alex. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship 410-455-5740, or email armor@umbc.edu.