We are pleased to announce the Call for Letters of Intent for Cohort 4 of the UM-BILD Accelerator Program, part of the University of Maryland’s Baltimore Life Science Discovery (UM-BILD) initiative. This National Institutes of Health-supported program is designed to accelerate biomedical innovation, commercialization, and workforce development across the Baltimore region. UM-BILD is a collaborative initiative led by the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) and includes the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC); Morgan State University (MSU); the University of Maryland, College Park; Blackbird Laboratories; and TEDCO’s Maryland Innovation Initiative. Since its launch in September 2023, UM-BILD has supported 35 technology development projects, encompassing therapeutics, medical devices, and digital health solutions. Multiple projects have already advanced to the next phase, as the foundation of a new Maryland spinoff company, or as the subject of a license to an established firm (see selected projects on the UM-BILD Accelerator Awardees page). This progress adds to the momentum that is building Greater Baltimore into a premier life science technology hub.

     As outlined in the Request for Applications on the UM-BILD Accelerator: How to Apply page, UM-BILD will provide support for up to seven projects, each with the potential to advance a promising early-stage biomedical technology. Selected projects will receive up to $75,000 in seed funding for a 12-month period (May 2027 to May 2028). UM-BILD also matches each investigator with a mentor: an established industry figure who offers perspectives on the road ahead. Meanwhile, UM-BILD also offers seminars and events to inform investigators about the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship in the biomedical arena.

      To be considered as an investigator in the Accelerator Program, a Letter of Intent must be submitted through the UM-BILD website by 5 p.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Late submissions cannot be accepted.)  You can read detailed descriptions of the scope, purpose, and design of this program — and access the application portal on the UM-BILD Accelerator: How to Apply page.     Please share this announcement of an important funding opportunity to eligible innovators (faculty at UMB, UMBC, and MSU).     For questions regarding the application guidelines, please write to UM-BILD@umaryland.edu.

For your convenience, the UM-BILD Application package is attached.