Registration: January 3 -February 14, 2025

URCAD Student Registration

 Mentor Approval

 Review for Non-UMBC Mentors

Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day

On Wednesday April 16, 2025, Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD) will feature research, scholarship, and creative work carried out by UMBC undergraduates. Student work will be shared through oral presentations, posters, artistic exhibits, performances, and film. Over 300 presenters participate annually. Researchers work with faculty mentors on independent research, or research that is part of the mentor’s on-going projects. They are from all disciplines, and can be working on a thesis, capstone project, part of a scholars or honors program, or they can be unaffiliated. This campus-wide celebration of achievement affirms UMBC’s commitment to the twin goals of research and a distinctive undergraduate experience.

All current undergraduates who have conducted research, scholarship or creative work in the last year may apply to present their results at URCAD. Mentors, fellow students, friends, family members, high school teachers and students, graduate school recruiters, and the general public are invited to attend.

For information on how to prepare your 200-word abstract for the URCAD application please visit our guidelines page.

Dear Retrievers and Valued Transit Riders,

Due to inclement weather, UMBC’s main campus will open at 11 AM on Thursday, February 6, 2025.UMBC Transit will begin service at 10 AM to support our riders and campus community.

All bus routes will operate on their regular schedules starting at 10 AM, except for Route 40. To ensure riders living in the community can reach campus before 11 AM, we are adding a special 10 AM Route 40 bus.

We will continue monitoring conditions to ensure your safety. Please checkhere for the latest updates on inclement weather advisories and route changes.

Transit Tips for Safe Travel:

• Dress warmly and prepare for slick surfaces due to potential snow or ice.
• Use the Transit App for real-time bus tracking, and allow extra time when walking to your stop.
• Exercise caution when boarding and avoid running to catch the bus.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we prioritize the safety of our community. If you need further assistance, please get in touch with us at 410-455-2454 or transit@umbc.edu.

Safe travels,

Your Transit Team ~ Driving Student Success

• Our Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) will continue to submit proposals as submission systems at federal agencies are operational. 
• As proposal deadlines approach, please check program websites and solicitations for any updates on due dates or requirements to ensure that your proposal is compliant.
• Sponsor proposal review timelines may be extended. Please continue to review specific sponsor guidelines regularly to ensure you have the most up-to-date information. 
• Consider signing up for alerts from the agencies you apply to. 

• Please continue with business as usual. The terms and conditions of your active grant remain enforceable for the current funding period as long as the award is in good standing. This includes the ability to invoice and receive reimbursement. If there is a change to your award, OSP will notify the unit business office and principal investigator. Agencies are required to notify us if there will be changes to your funding once the contract is in place.
• Try to remain in contact with your program officers but be aware that some of them may have a pause on communications.
• Monitor policy updates from the federal agency overseeing your grant for any updates on funding or compliance requirements. See also the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) resource page linked below.
• If PIs or RAs receive any award modifications or other notices, please forward them to the OSP as soon as possible (cc your unit business office), so that these can be reviewed and processed quickly.
• Notify OSP (and cc your unit business office) if you receive a “Stop Work” notice from a federal sponsor for an award. A stop work order typically means that all project work needs to stop immediately and no expenses can be incurred on the project as of the effective date of the stop work notice. In this case, principal investigators should work with their unit business office (department administrator), who will work with the post-award support staff and your unit’s OSP manager to determine the appropriate next steps.
• Closely monitor obligated budget balances to avoid deficits while awaiting future obligations. Anticipated future funding remains subject to availability of funds and should not be considered guaranteed.
• Make sure to meet existing deadlines for technical reports or other deliverables.
• If you have questions about your awards, please contact your unit business office, who should be in contact with your unit’s assigned OSP grants and contracts manager.