GRAND CHALLENGES: INSTITUTIONAL GRANTS FINAL DEADLINE

The University of Maryland invites Grand Challenges Grant proposals from the faculty to forge new and creative institutional initiatives to help address some of the most pressing and vexing societal challenges of our time. 

Grand Challenges Institutional Grants: Efforts in this category will propose solutions for new institutional structures (interdisciplinary institute, major center, or school; or a new public-private partnership/consortia, etc.) that catalyze cross-disciplinary collaborations around a grand challenge focus or theme. These grants will provide up to $500K per year for 3 years of one-time funding. A 1:1 match is required from participating colleges and/or departments that includes cash and in-kind resources. Up to three Institutional Grants will be awarded. High performing and successful institutional grant awardees have the possibility of converting to base funding.

Eligibility: Tenured faculty, tenure-track faculty, and professional track faculty are eligible to apply as principal investigators (PIs). Proposals should draw upon expertise from across the campus. Proposals submitted exclusively by one college are not encouraged.

Funding Priorities: Proposals for new institutional structures, such as the creation of a college, school, interdisciplinary research institute, or public-private partnership must highlight the importance of how the proposed effort can and will significantly impact an enduring or emerging challenge of societal impact. Proposals should not focus on incremental or piecemeal advances, but must rather put forward a compelling, transformative and forward-leaning approach that will make meaningful advances through new and creative partnerships to address a major societal challenge. Representative examples for a grand challenge focus area can include (but are not limited to):

• ​Climate Change (includes clean energy, sustainability, food and water insecurity)
• Social and Racial Injustice (includes poverty, education disparities, structural inequity
• Global Health (includes health equity, pandemic preparedness, mental health, and wellness)
• Threats to Democracy
• ​Ethical, Fair & Trustworthy Technology (includes bias-free artificial intelligence, privacy, transparent uses of data, etc). 
• Other Grand Challenges welcome

Letter of Intent/Preliminary Proposal Deadline: July 1, 2022*

Click here for the full RFP and more information.

Additional Resources:

Video Recording and Slides from the April 26 Information Session

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

* Deadline for requesting cost share from ARHU was June 1, 2022.