Funding

Mtech offers several funding programs for companies and for product development.

• Maryland Industrial Partnerships Program (MIPS)
• Chesapeake Bay Seed Capital Fund
• $50K SAIC-VentureAccelerator Competition
• IMPACT Seed Fund
• Hinman Alumni Fund
• ASPIRE

Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) (www.mips.umd.edu)

MIPS provides funding for research projects connecting Maryland companies with University System of Maryland faculty to develop technology-based products, services or training. Through MIPS, companies have created or improved revolutionary technologies, including: MedImmune’s Synagis® drug, which prevents a respiratory disease in infants; HughesNet®, the world’s leading Internet-via-satellite product; Black & Decker’s ultra-efficient masonry drill bits; and Martek Bioscience’s top-selling nutritional additive for healthy foods. Since 1987, MIPS has connected more than 400 companies in Maryland with faculty in the University System of Maryland to develop products in the fields of biotechnology, nanotechnology, engineering, computer science, information technology, homeland security, defense, and energy. More»

Chesapeake Bay Seed Capital Fund (www.mtech.umd.edu/funding/cbsc)

Supported by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and administered by Mtech, the Chesapeake Bay Seed Capital Fund will invest $250,000 annually over a three-year period into Maryland-based startup companies with innovative technologies that may help improve air and water quality in the Chesapeake Bay area. Fund recipients are jointly selected by Mtech and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. More»

$50K SAIC-VentureAccelerator Competition (www.mtech.umd.edu/funding/saic)

Mtech’s VentureAccelerator Program seeks applicants for the SAIC-VentureAccelerator Competition, which supports commercially promising research employing scientific, engineering, and technology solutions to solve problems of vital importance to the nation and the world in the areas of national security, energy and the environment, critical infrastructure, and health. More»

IMPACT Seed Fund (www.mtech.umd.edu/funding/impact_preseed)

Dream big, but have a positive impact on the world. That's the idea behind the new, Impact Seed Fund program available to select University of Maryland student entrepreneurs. The Impact Seed Fund offers grants, in $500 to $5,000 increments, to students in the University's Hinman CEOs and Hillman Entrepreneurs programs, who present business plans for new companies that benefit society. While plans that address the environment, education, healthcare, and other underserved markets and communities are favored, any plan considering or offering some form of positive impact is eligible. Up to $50K total will be available annually over five years. More»

Hinman Alumni Fund (www.hinmanceos.umd.edu/alumni_fund.html)

Hinman CEOs students can apply for funding to support their new ventures, available in increments of $500 to $5,000, by writing a business plan. A committee comprised of Hinman alumni and Mtech senior staff will evaluate each proposal. Applicants may be asked to present their ideas to the committee. Funding recipients will be selected based upon each business plan’s value proposition, as well as its probability of success within a reasonable timeframe. More»

A Scholars Program for Industry-Oriented Research in Engineering (ASPIRE) (www.aspire.umd.edu)

ASPIRE offers students a unique opportunity to venture beyond the classroom through collaboration with engineering faculty and staff on mutually interesting projects with industry relevance. In addition to its intrinsic educational value, ASPIRE gives students a competitive edge when applying for jobs or graduate study.

ASPIRE introduces undergraduates to the discipline and rewards of industrially-oriented engineering projects. Students perfrom research during the Fall and/or Spring semesters under the guidance of an engineering faculty or staff mentor. ASPIRE awardees receive a scholarship of $1000 for each semester project. For Summer projects, students receive a scholarship of $3,000 for the summer. All funds are credited to the awardee's university student account. All continuing projects must submit a new application for each semester or summer. More»