NOTE: Applications and proposals for these USM opportunities must be routed for approval by the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) in the Kuali System prior to submission to USM. Applicants must be PI Eligible active* at the time of routing. Plan 4-5 business days for routing.
Contact CARAT (carat@umbc.edu) for PI Eligibility, proposal, and routing assistance.
Faculty who may apply for PI Eligiblity active status include Faculty with Duties Primarily in Instruction, Research & Service (Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors). Teaching Professors, whose appointments are primarily in Instruction, may request an exception from the Vice President for Research while applying for PI Eligibility status, and must provide additional materials. Temporary and Adjunct Faculty may not be considered PI Eligible.
*PI Eligible active status entails successful completion (with issued certificates) of PIRATE training; CITI Research Security Training - combined; and a PI Eligibility form, with attached certificates of completion, appointment letter, and C.V. for those requesting PI eligibility through the exception process. See UMBC Policy # IV-2.00.03 for more information.
Proposals should adhere to best practices in digital accessibility, such as the use of heading structure and meaningful alternative text for images. The USM Digital Accessibility Checklist is a helpful guide: https://www.usmd.edu/digital-accessibility/USM-Digital-Accessibility-Checklist.pdf Also, consult the UMBC Accessible Documents & Presentations webpage: https://accessibility.umbc.edu/digital-accessibility/accessible-documents-presentations/
1. Call for Applications: Faculty Senior Fellows Program (USM Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation). Application deadline: April 13, 2026
Routing must begin April 7, 2026. PI Eligible faculty at UMBC may apply for this opportunity.
The USM Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation is pleased to announce a call for applications for Faculty Senior Fellows for the 2026-27 academic year. These leadership roles will advance the Kirwan Center's mission to support innovation in teaching, learning, and scholarship across the University System of Maryland. Each senior fellow will receive a $3,500 stipend (50% in August 2026 and 50% in May 2027) for their work across AY 2026-2027.
The three senior fellow positions are:
- Senior fellow in generative AI pedagogy
- Senior fellow for the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL)
- Senior fellow for assessment and evaluation
USM faculty of any rank whose primary role on their campus are faculty are eligible to apply. Applicants may apply for multiple positions but can only be selected for one senior fellow role. Each position requires approximately 1-2 hours of work per week throughout the academic year term.
More details can be found in the Call for Applications for Faculty Senior Fellows: https://usmd.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/KCAI/IQCF89wk09FzRbLlBftPmC3YAeg7tfUTGm5u3tfGyi-4Uis?rtime=96_DSVWP3kg
2. Call for Proposals: 2026-27 Elkins Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Fellows Program. Proposal deadline: May 8, 2026
Routing must begin April 30, 2026. PI Eligible faculty at UMBC may apply for this opportunity.
Up to ten Elkins SoTL Fellowships of $1,000 each will be awarded for 2026-2027 (May 22, 2026 – June 30, 2027). The Elkins SoTL Fellowships are open to USM faculty of any rank or appointment interested in undertaking a research project focused on the scholarship of teaching and learning.
A faculty member should serve as principal investigator (PI) on the project; a staff person may serve as co-PI provided the project originates with the faculty member. At present, graduate students are not being considered for this fellowship.
Information Session: Join Kirwan Center staff on Monday, April 13, 2026, from 1 - 2 p.m., for a virtual Information session to learn more about the fellowship requirements and expectations. We will also answer questions about the program at that time. Registering will ensure you receive a link to the session recording, even if you can't attend live.
NOTE: Applicants must provide a budget and letter of support from a Chair, Dean, or Provost, as well as other proposal materials.
Register here: https://usmd-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/W062YeyISZ6LSQyu7dl6Kg#/registration