Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) Program
Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (MTECH) / University of Maryland
Up to $100,000/year
Researched for this program: 6 rejection traps · 6 required documentsWhat decides this award ↓
MD funds your UM faculty R&D partnership
MIPS (operating since 1987) funds joint research projects between Maryland companies and University System of Maryland faculty, providing up to $100,000 per year per project. Companies propose a specific research challenge; a UM faculty member becomes the co-PI. Projects span engineering, computer science, life sciences, and physical sciences. MIPS contributes state matching funds; companies pay their share directly to the university. Award decisions come within 60 days of proposal deadlines.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- Up to $100,000 per phase ($90,000 for start-ups)
- Realistic amount
- Most projects receive $50,000–$100,000 per year over 1–2 years. Start-up firms typically receive $50,000–$90,000. Projects that advance to multi-year renewal tend to average $75,000–$100,000/year.
- Deadline
- Quarterly proposal deadlines. Notifications issued within 60 days of each deadline.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- MD
- Payment model
- advance
Who qualifies
- Maryland-based company (any size: large, small, or start-up)
- Must collaborate with a Maryland public university researcher (University of Maryland system, Morgan State University, or St. Mary's College of Maryland)
- Project must fall within one of the qualifying research fields: engineering, computer science, physical sciences, or life sciences
- Joint proposal submitted by both the company and the university faculty researcher
- Company must provide matching funds (their share goes directly to the university for the research)
Hard requirements
- Location restriction: Maryland
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- University researcher salary and benefits (faculty PI, graduate students, post-docs)
- Laboratory supplies, materials, and reagents for the research project
- Equipment specifically required for the research (via university purchase)
- Travel for project-related research activities
- Research subcontract costs approved by MIPS
Ineligible expenses
- Company overhead or administrative expenses
- Capital equipment not directly tied to the research project
- Work performed outside of Maryland universities
- Research topics outside engineering, computer science, physical sciences, or life sciences
- Pre-proposal work completed before MIPS award
How to apply
-
1
Identify a University of Maryland System faculty partner
Contact MIPS (mips.umd.edu or 301-405-3891) to discuss your project and get help identifying a matching faculty researcher with relevant expertise. Faculty partners can come from any UMD System campus, Morgan State, or St. Mary's.
-
2
Develop a joint research proposal
Work with the faculty partner to define the research objectives, scope, timeline, and budget. The proposal is co-authored by the company and the faculty PI. MIPS staff provide guidance on proposal structure.
-
3
Submit joint proposal by the quarterly deadline
Submit the completed proposal (company + faculty co-PI) to MIPS by the quarterly deadline (see mips.umd.edu/schedule). MIPS evaluates within 60 days.
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4
Receive award and execute project
MIPS notifies award winners within 60 days. Upon approval, the company pays its matching contribution directly to the university. Research commences per the agreed timeline.
MIPS staff actively help companies find the right faculty partner — don't cold-email faculty. Call the MIPS office first; they know which researchers are looking for industry projects.
Deadline & timing
MIPS has recurring proposal deadlines; see mips.umd.edu for the current cycle date. Award decisions within 60 days of the proposal deadline.
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