Graduate Dean's Research Initiative

Application opens: January 9, 2027 

Application submission deadline: February 27, 2027 before Noon (12:00 PM ET)

Anticipated Award Notice: April 10, 2027 

Awarded Funds Available: On or around July 1, 2027
 

All graduate students enrolled in a BSOS doctoral or academic masters programs are eligible to apply. All applications that meet the stated requirements will be considered; however, applicants who have previously received a DRI award will not be eligible for funding. 

The Pre-candidacy Research/Master’s Thesis awards are to support Master’s Thesis or comparable pre-candidacy research expenditures (e.g., participant payments). Any requested travel funds should be used to improve research quality, not for conference travel. Students should apply to the Graduate Travel awards for funds to support conference travel. Funds cannot be used to supplement stipends. 

Awards: Up to $3,000 each

Eligibility: Applicants must be in good standing in their program and not yet achieved candidacy. Preference will be given to projects that support Master’s Theses, but students may apply for funds in this category for any pre-candidacy projects. 

The Doctoral Dissertation Research (DD) award is to support doctoral dissertation research expenditures (e.g., participant payment). Any requested travel funds should be used to improve research quality, not for conference travel. Students should apply to the Graduate Travel Awards for funds to support conference travel. Funds cannot be used to supplement stipends. 

Award: Up to $4,000 each

Eligibility: Applicants must be in good standing and not yet completed the dissertation project. Students may apply if they will advance to candidacy by August 31, 2027, but should note that their award will begin late, so they will have a shorter period of performance (i.e., the end date will still be July 31, 2027). 

Applicants must submit a project abstract of no more than 500 words.  The abstract should provide a clear, concise, and accessible overview of the proposed project and is intended for review by faculty and administrators from a range of disciplinary backgrounds. Applicants are encouraged to use plain language and to avoid discipline-specific jargon where possible. The abstract must be uploaded into the designated field on the application. Please upload all documents into a PDF or Word document.
 

A completed BSOS DRI Cover Sheet, signed by the Department Chair and Director of Administrative Services, must be uploaded with the application. 

A 1–3 page narrative, inclusive of any tables, graphs, or figures. The narrative should describe the proposed project in language accessible for a general academic audience and should emphasize the project’s broader impact beyond its novelty. The page limit does not include the budget, budget justification, current and pending support, or references. 
If the proposal relates to an existing partially or fully funded project, the narrative must clearly distinguish between project components currently supported by existing funding and those proposed for support through the DRI. In addition, the narrative must explain how DRI seed funding will increase the likelihood of generating additional scholarly products beyond what would be possible with the original funding. 

Both a Budget and a Budget Justification are required. Applicants are strongly required to use the Budget Template. This will be updated and available soon. 

Budget Guidelines:

• Cost-Sharing (Departmental cost-sharing is encouraged but not required unless specified below).
  • The maximum award amounts do not include departmental cost-sharing. 
  • For proposals requiring cost sharing, the Graduate Student is responsible for securing the approval and support of their department’s Director of Administrative Services (DAS).
  • Cost sharing is not considered in the merit review process. While not required (except as noted above), it is encouraged when appropriate or necessary for project success.
• Unallowable costs 
  i) Software licenses already provided by the University (e.g., SAS, SPSS). 
  ii) Transcription services. 
  iii) Housing costs. 
  iv) Stipend supplementation. 
   

A Current and Pending Support document (in any format, including those that utilize SciENcv) from the graduate student applicant. Failure to submit this information for all the necessary personnel may result in the proposal not being considered.

The FY 2027–2028 DRI proposal must be listed on the Current and Pending (or Other Support) document(s). At the time proposals are reviewed, the DRI application is considered pending support. It is acceptable if the only entry on a document is the proposed DRI project. 
 

All graduate student applicants must upload proof of completion of the University of Maryland Research Security Training as part of their application materials.

Acceptable documentation includes a completion certificate or confirmation screenshot generated upon successful completion of the training.

The Research Security Training must be completed before the application submission deadline. Additional information about the training, including access instructions, is available on the UMD Research Security Office website.