Dean's Research Initiative
The Dean’s Research Initiative (DRI) is a competitive grant program that supports new research pathways and ideas, experiential learning, and graduate student education and professional development.
Guidelines
Requirements vary slightly by award category and proposal type. However, all proposals must include a project narrative, budget, budget justification that explains the relevance of the proposed costs to the scope of work, a Current and Pending Support form (in any approved Federal sponsor format), and a cover sheet signed by the Unit Chair/Director and Director of Administrative Services. The period of performance should be 12 months long and begin on or around July 1, 2026.
For the 2026–2027 cycle, two separate Requests for Proposals (RFPs) have been issued, both with a submission deadline of Friday, February 27, 2026:
All proposals must be submitted in InfoReady by 12 pm (noon) on Friday, February 27, 2026. Proposals will be considered late if received after this time. No extensions will be granted, and late proposals will not be accepted. By 5 pm on Friday, February 27, 2026, applicants will be sent a notice that their application has been received. Award notices will be made on or before Friday, April 10, 2026.
Direct links to the application records by award type:
Faculty Awards RFP: https://umd.infoready4.com/#applicationGrid/2003216
Student Awards RFP: https://umd.infoready4.com/#applicationGrid/2003705
Questions regarding scientific or technical details of proposals can be directed to Dr. Meredith Kleykamp at kleykamp@umd.edu. Questions regarding eligibility, proposal assembly, and submission should be directed to bsosresearch@umd.edu.