The Division of Research and Creative Achievement is pleased to announce a new cycle of the START and SURFF programs, with deadlines on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Please direct questions regarding either program to Don Engel, Associate Vice President for Strategic Research Initiatives (donengel@umbc.edu).
UMBC Summer Research Faculty Fellowship (SURFF) - Summer 2026
- Supports tenure-track UMBC faculty members who have not yet received tenure in pursuing research and creative achievement projects during the summer. Priority will be given to faculty members who have not previously received SURFF funding.
- Award Size: up to $8,000
UMBC Strategic Awards for Research Transitions (START) - Academic Year 2026-2027
- Supports full-time, PI-eligible members of the UMBC faculty, at the assistant rank and above, to advance their research and creative achievement endeavors, to compete more effectively for external support, and to pursue new areas of inquiry.
- Members of the faculty who have received prior START support are ineligible to apply for three years after the end date of the prior grant.
- Award Size: up to $25,000
Please see https://research.umbc.edu/internal-funding-opportunities for information on internal funding opportunities in general.