The Clark School of Engineering is a research powerhouse, with more than $107 million in annual research expenditures by leading investigators in seven departments and four institutes, more than 130 laboratories, 23 research centers, innovative programs for undergraduates, and active research relationships with major engineering firms, government labs and academic centers. See Resources and Facilities.

As of 2005, the Alfred Gessow Rotorcraft Center's  graduate student Rotorcraft Team has won eight straight first place finishes in the Student Design Competition sponsored by the American Helicopter Society. Teams are challenged to create a vertical lift aircraft that meets specified requirements.

Opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students are numerous and diverse, with major research programs in (among many others): bioengineering; communications and networking; systems research; embedded computing; rotorcraft technology; launch and reentry vehicles; space robotics; intelligent transportation systems; advanced materials; nanotechnology; electronic packaging; and energy systems.

And, within the Kim Engineering Building, we offer the latest in research and instructional laboratories, with a strong emphasis on the cross-disciplinary approaches needed to solve major engineering problems.

If you are considering graduate studies at some point in your future or you are a current graduate student, please look through the opportunities for support through the programs described below.  Contact your advisor and/or me for assistance these programs and with preparing a competitive application. And if you are a freshman, sophomore or junior, browse these web sites to learn about available programs and start preparing now by taking advantage of undergraduate research internships and summer research positions.

• Deadline: rolling          National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Special Undergraduate Research Programs

For undergrads, there is a wide array of special programs, including opportunities within departments and in:

• A Scholars Program for Industry-Oriented Research in Engineering (ASPIRE)
• Maryland Engineering Research Internship Teams Biosystems Internships for Engineers (MERIT BIEN)
• Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
• The Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics (IREAP)
• Training and Research Experiences in Nonlinear Dynamics (TREND)
• Computer Security Scholars
• Gemstone Program
• Undergraduate Research Assistant Program (URAP)
• Research scholarship opportunities for undergrads:
  www.ursp.umd.edu/scholarships/
• Campus site for undergrad research scholarships:
  www.scholarships.umd.edu

Graduate Research Support Opportunities

Information on Applying for Graduate Fellowships

• The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program - ENGR Short [ppt]
• 2012 NSF GRFP Presentation - OFFICIAL [pdf]
• Graduate Fellowship Programs Overview including reviewer guidance [ppt]

Opportunity:
Schlumberger Foundation Call for Applications for the 2013-2014 Faculty for the Future Fellowships (pdf)
The Schlumberger Foundation is accepting applications for the 2013–2014 Faculty for the Future Fellowships from September 10th to November 16th 2012 for new applications; from September 10th to November 9th for renewal applications.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)
Students supported on GRAs participate in research projects funded by grants.  They perform their duties under the supervision of a faculty member. Graduate research assistants often work on material that is directly related to their theses or dissertations.  A full GRA is a 12-month appointment, and the typical work load is 20 hours per week during the academic year and 40 hours per week during the summer.  The assistantship includes a salary, subsidized health benefits, and tuition remission for 10 credit hours per semester, as well as eight credit hours for summer.

GRAs are awarded through the department by individual faculty members.  Subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funds, GRAs are renewable each semester.

Research scholarship opportunities for grad students:
www.ursp.umd.edu/scholarships/grad-students.html

Campus site for grad student research scholarships:
www.umaryland.edu/umhans/scholarships/grad

Research by Department

• Aerospace Engineering
• Fischell Department of Bioengineering
• Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
• Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Fire Protection Engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

Research by Major Institutes and Centers

• Maryland NanoCenter
• Center for Nano Manufacturing and Metrology
• Center for Intermodal Freight Transportation Mobility and Security
• Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics (IREAP)
• Institute for Systems Research (ISR)
• Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering (CALCE)
• Center for Environmental Energy Engineering (CEEE)
• Alfred Gessow Rotorcraft Center
• Maryland Hybrid Networks Center (HyNet)
• Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (MTECH)
• Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel
• Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC)

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