Enroll in an Entrepreneurship Course This Fall!

Whether you have ideas, want to unlock your creative potential, or learn how to fund your future business, the Alex. Brown Center has a class for you.

Check out our course offerings for the upcoming semester:

• ENTR 200: Introduction to Entrepreneurship
  • The Pitch: Turn your big idea into reality—plus earn a Social Science GEP! Learn the mechanics of opportunity recognition, market assessment, and how to bring a new venture to life.
• ENTR 201: The Entrepreneurial Mindset
  • The Pitch: Master real-world problem solving and unlock your creative potential. Innovation isn't just for business majors—it’s for everyone.
• ENTR 330: Entrepreneurial Finance
  • The Pitch: Fund, plan, and grow your startup with real-world finance. Learn the financial realities every founder faces to sustain a healthy business.
  • Note: This course has two prerequisites. If you are interested in taking ENTR 330 but have questions about the requirements or enrollment, please email kevinf@umbc.edu for guidance.

Spaces are limited. Sign up for one of these courses today!

UMBC’s Division of Research and Creative Achievement recently announced the recipients of the 2027 Strategic Awards for Research Transitions (START) and the 2026 Summer Research Faculty Fellowship (SURFF) awards, two of the university’s primary, internal funding opportunities that support faculty-led research and creative work. 

The latest awards cover diverse projects, including exploring the genetic origins of a neurologic disorder in Siberian huskies, securing smartphones against voice scams, building novel animated sculpture, and exploring the legacy of Argentine-born American cellist Ennio Bolognini. 

In total for fiscal year 2027, 12 faculty members and researchers across UMBC’s three colleges and the university’s research centers were awarded up to $25,000 in START funding to advance their research and creative projects. The awards help recipients build research momentum early in their careers and hone their research pitches to pursue external funding. They can also help faculty pivot to new fields of inquiry later in their careers. 

For summer 2026, 21 faculty members received a SURFF award, which supports non-tenured, tenure-track faculty members in pursuing research and creative achievement projects during the summer. Recipients are awarded $8,000 in funding. 

“Each year when we review applications, we find we have so many faculty who are being very creative and really pushing the edge of what’s known in their various disciplines,” says Don Engel, associate vice president for strategic research initiatives at UMBC, who coordinates the faculty committee that reviews prospective awards. “The proposals really illustrate the breadth of achievement that goes on across the university.”

FEMALE ROOMMATES WANTED – Near UMBC

One room available now • Second room available on or after August 9

Looking for a clean, respectful female roommate to share a beautifully renovated home less than 1.5 miles from UMBC on the Purple Shuttle route. Ideal for UMBC or UMB graduate students, Ph.D. students, or upper-level undergraduates.

Rent: $1,000/month

$500 Security Deposit

Rent Includes:

• Fully furnished private bedroom
• Shared bathroom with only one roommate
• Shared refrigerator with only one roommate
• All utilities
• High-speed Wi-Fi
• Streaming TV
• Laundry
• Fully equipped kitchen
• Living and dining rooms
• Linens and towels provided
• Cleaning supplies included
• Lawn care and snow removal

Home Features

• Newly renovated 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath home
• Quiet, safe dead-end street
• Seconds from the UMBC Purple Shuttle
• Three nearby shopping centers and grocery stores
• Unlimited hot water
• Ample street parking

The home is shared with two female UMBC students/professionals and the homeowner couple. We value a quiet, clean, and respectful living environment.

House Rules

• Female only
• Non-smoker
• No drugs
• No pets (except approved documented service/support animals)

Academic-year lease (August 2026–May 2027) preferred. Summer and month-to-month options may be available.

Call or Text (preferred): 410-999-4668 (Mon–Fri, 6–8 p.m.)

Email:  whittleemail@gmail.com

The deadline to submit posters for printing by Research Graphics is July 28, 2026, by 5 pm.

More information can be found at https://researchgraphics.umbc.edu/welcome/poster-printing/ If you need your poster for any practice sessions, please allow extra time (at least 3 business days before practice session).

For resources on how to create a poster, templates, color checkers and more: https://researchgraphics.umbc.edu/poster-design-resources-event-info/

For any additional information, please email researchgraphics@umbc.edu

Graduate School at UMBC

Dissertation Fellowship Fall 2026 

Application Deadline: Friday, July 10, 2026

Overview: The UMBC Dissertation Fellowship provides promising doctoral candidates with the financial support necessary to focus on writing and completing their dissertations. This fellowship grants students the critical time and resources needed to expedite the final stages of their degree.

Eligibility & Conditions:

Except in extraordinary circumstances, these awards are limited to one term per student. To be considered, Ph.D. candidates must be in good academic standing. Additionally, they must have:

●        No other financial support: This fellowship is strictly for students who do not have UMBC-administered financial support (such as an assistantship) during the fall term. Note: Funding status will be verified prior to application review and applicants with a GA contract through fall 2026 will not be reviewed.

●        Time to commit and focus on writing: Recipients must commit at least 20 hours per week exclusively to dissertation writing for the entire fall term. No other work assignments, besides dissertation writing, may be associated with this fellowship.

Award Details (Fall 2026):

The fellowship is awarded for the FALL term only and includes:

●      A maximum stipend of $12,500.

●      Tuition remission for 9 credits of course 899 (billed at 2 credits). Please note: The university provides tuition remission for the cost of 899 tuition only. Fellowship recipients are required to pay all mandatory fees associated with 899 registration.

Selection Criteria:

A committee selected by the Graduate School Leadership Team will review applications. Priority will be given to students who demonstrate that this award will provide the critical support needed to complete their writing, finalize revisions, and successfully defend their dissertation within the fellowship period (by the end of the fall term). Selection is based heavily on the applicant's readiness to finish, and the quality and feasibility of their management plan.

Application Materials

Applicants must submit the following documentation as a single PDF:

1. Fill out the application form with your information (attached).

2. Letter of Support from the Chair of the Dissertation Committee that:

○      Describes the current state of the dissertation and the probable impact of the Fellowship on the student's progress.

○      Verifies that no UMBC-administered financial support is available for the student.

     3. Management Plan (1–2 pages), written by the applicant and signed by the Chair of the Dissertation Committee. This must describe the dissertation format (regular or 3-essay/paper), status of the dissertation work, remaining steps, and a timeline for completion of those steps.

    4. Research Abstract for Lay Audience (maximum 1 page), written by the applicant in plain language for a non-expert audience, describing their research and its relevance.

    5. Curriculum Vitae (CV) (most recent version). Example of CV.

    6. Employer Documentation(if applicable): If employed outside the university, written evidence from the employer indicating a willingness to reduce the student's job hours and duties during the fellowship.

   7. Optional Statement: A brief response to the prompt: "Is there anything else you would like the committee to know about your situation and the need for a Dissertation Fellowship?"

Submission & Deadlines

●        Deadline: Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, July 10, 2026.

●        How to Apply: Email your completed application as a single PDF to dissertationfellowship@umbc.edu.

●        Notification: Recipients will be announced by Friday, July 31, 2026.

The application is attached.

Summer Walking and Movement Series

The Division of Institutional Equity, in partnership with the RAC, Retriever Integrated Health/Counseling, and Health Promotion, invites you to join us for Summer Walking and Movement, a weekly wellness series designed to encourage movement, connection, and community care throughout the summer.

The series will begin on Wednesday, July 8 at 10 a.m. and continue weekly through Thursday, August 13.

• Seated Yoga at the RAC
  Join the RAC for a 30-minute outdoor seated yoga session on Wednesday, July 8, July 22, and August 5 from 10–10:30 a.m. Participants are encouraged to arrive 5–10 minutes early to get settled. Sessions will be held outdoors in the rectangular area between the outdoor pool and tennis courts, weather permitting.

        For questions about seated yoga, please contact Joella at joellak1@umbc.edu.

• Weekly Summer Walks
  Each week, 30-minute group walks will be offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Walks will begin from different campus locations to make participation accessible across campus. Walking routes are wheelchair accessible.
  • Wednesdays:
    • A 10 a.m. walk will begin from outside the Women's, Gender, and Equity Center (Commons 004).
    • At 12 p.m., participants will meet at the True Grit statue by the Admin building.
  • Thursdays:
    • At 9:30 a.m., participants will meet at the Women’s, Gender, & Equity Center for the walk.

In the event of rain, walks will take place on the indoor track. Please keep an eye on myUMBC for updates.

We hope you will join us this summer for movement, wellness, and community connection!

OSP In Person Training Series

How to Read a Funding Announcment

Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 7, 2026 · 1 - 2 PM Hybrid · Engineering : 102

The Office of Sponsored Programs Training Team is continuing our in person training series! We would like to invite you to join us for an in person training session focused on a specific topic of interest. This invitation is for you if you are a faculty, staff, or otherwise active participant in sponsored research at UMBC and would like to learn more from your OSP Team about specific research administration topics such as Subawards, documentation needed for routing, and more!

Please join us in person on July 7th, 1:00 pm -2:00 pm.

Present Topic: How to Read a Funding Announcement

Presenters: Taylor Shortt and Allison Martins Machado

Where: ENG 102 Note: **Update: No Heat Advisory as of 7/2 for Tuesday 7/7**

NEW Hybrid allowability! Webex log in found here: https://umbc.webex.com/umbc/j.php?MTID=m04235acf42d72154a5738a79a701c13c

*Click here OSP In Person Training Series · Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) · myUMBC for orginal posting and to sign up.*

Description: The present topic will go over how to read a funding announcement and some practices for PIs and Administrative Support to keep in mind when submitting a proposal.

At the end of each session there will be time for some Q&A. Please feel free to comment with questions ahead of time to be answered during the current or future sessions. If you have questions that pertain to a specific grant, please reach out to your Grants Manager individually.

Please note there are only 30 slots available at present, if we find there is a greater interest later sessions will find a larger meeting space.

Thank you!

OSP training Team

A reminder that following the completion of an assessment or research project connected to your department, Division of Student Affairs staff are expected to complete the Assessment and Research Project Completion form. This form:

• helps us capture the results of assessment and research projects from around the division;
• create a repository that will help us be more organized for program reviews, Middle States, etc.; and is
• open throughout the year- you do not need to wait until Annual Report timeline to track progress.

You will be asked to input information about your project, key takeaways, and how you are using the results. In addition to completing this form, you will be asked to upload a copy of the instrument as well as a results report. There is no standard template for your results so a PowerPoint presentation you delivered about the results, a dashboard, a Qualtrics report, or another format is fine.

Any and all assessment and research projects from 25-26 must be submitted by July 25th. Thank you!

Access the form here.

The Academic Success Center is pleased to offer the following Academic Support Services during Summer Session II in collaboration with the Division of Professional Studies in the following areas:

Summer Session II (July 6th  – August 13th)

Academic Skills Meetings will be available for all undergraduate students by appointment. Students will have the option of reserving in-person or online sessions. Academic Skills meetings can help with academic accountability, developing study skills, and making a plan for the Fall 2026 semester. For any questions please email academicpeeradvocates@umbc.edu.

Course Content Tutoring will be available for drop - in and appointment for select courses. Students will have the option of reserving in - person or online sessions for appointments, but all drop in sessions will be held in person.  Please note that unreserved appointment times will be added to the drop-in schedule on a daily basis, so make sure to check it often.

Writing Center support will also be available by appointment only, and will be provided online unless requested otherwise. To request an in-person session please email tutoring@umbc.edu with all your available times. Writing Center support is available for any written assignment for any course.

SI PASS will be available for in person and online support. Please visit the Summer SI PASS Schedule page for courses, locations, details and times

To view schedules and reserve an appointment time, please visit TracCloud. 

As the quantum computing era becomes more of a reality, edge devices will increasingly come under threat from quantum-capable adversaries. NIST is already transitioning away from traditional quantum-vulnerable cryptography standards to quantum-secure PQC standards. This one-day workshop will illuminate the challenges and opportunities posed by the post-quantum era. Get more information and register here

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