Provides opportunities for UMD undergraduates to work closely with faculty mentors on summer research projects while actively engaging with the broader community of SPIRE researchers.
ABOUT SPIRE
OUR's Student-Proposed Innovation & Research Experience (SPIRE) provides opportunities for University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) undergraduates to work closely with faculty mentors on summer research projects while actively engaging with the broader community of SPIRE researchers.
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SPIRE is designed for students with experience with undergraduate research or students who have already secured an undergraduate research mentor.
OUR welcomes SPIRE Proposals from students in all academic and artistic fields and provides an award of $3,000.
Students will be expected to spend approximately 20 hours a week on their projects and program activities and may conduct their research during any eight-week period between June 1 and August
14, 2026.
During the summer, students can engage in workshops, seminars, and networking events with other undergraduate students and their SPIRE cohort. SPIRE students will also be required to present their work at the Summer Undergraduate Research Conference (SURC).
Who should apply to SPIRE?
SPIRE is designed for students who:
Have a plan for a self-designed summer research project.
Have secured the agreement of a UMD faculty member to advise them on their project.
Engage in research or creative endeavors in any and all academic and artistic fields.
Eligibility:
Must be an undergraduate student who will graduate from their undergraduate program no earlier than December 2026.
Must have completed at least 12 or more UMD course credits (not including AP or IB credits) by the application deadline.
SUBMITTING A SPIRE PROPOSAL
PROPOSAL PROCESS & TIMELINE
The SPIRE Proposal is a four-step process completed by the student and mentor, with each step triggering the next.
Student Pre-Proposal
Due January 29, 2026 at 11:59 pm
STEP 1
Students should complete a Student Pre-Proposal to provide their name, Email Address (@umd or @terpmail), Numeric UID Number (9 Digits), their Mentor's Name, Mentor's Email Address (@umd), and a brief description of their proposed project. The primary purpose of the Student Pre-Proposal is to ensure the student has secured a mentor, and responses will not be used for admission decisions.
After the student has completed the Student Pre-Proposal, the mentor will receive an invitation via email to complete the Mentor Agreement. The Mentor Agreement will request the mentor confirm their role as the student’s mentor and outline review criteria and materials required in the Mentor Review.
Mentor Agreement
Due February 5, 2026 at 11:59 pm
STEP 2
Upon submission of the Mentor Review, students will be invited via email to complete the Student Proposal. The Student Proposal consists of six questions and requires students to upload an up-to-date unofficial UMD transcript. Requirements of the Student Proposal can be found below.
Student Proposal
Due February 23, 2026 at 11:59pm
STEP 3
After students have completed the Student Proposal, mentors will be invited to complete the Mentor Review via email. Requirements of the Mentor Review can be found below.
Mentor Review
Due March 11, 2026 at 11:59pm
STEP 4
Notification of Decision
After the mentor has submitted the Mentor Review, the SPIRE Proposal will be considered complete and will be reviewed by OUR. Students and mentors will be notified on or before April 7th, 2026 regarding the status of the student's application.
Sent April 7, 2026
NOTIFICATION
Confirmation of Participation
Accepted students will be asked to confirm their participation in SPIRE by April 14th, 2026 at 11:59pm.
Due April 14, 2026 at 11:59pm
CONFIRMATION
ELEMENTS OF A SPIRE PROPOSAL
Questions About SPIRE?
Read our FAQs for more detailed information about SPIRE. If you still have questions after reviewing our FAQs send us an email at our-office@umd.edu.