At 3-Year Anniversary, Grand Challenges Grants Program Reaps Major Returns

The University of Maryland's Grand Challenges Grants program is accelerating solutions to humanity’s most pressing issues in our communities and around the globe through education, research, scholarship, creative activities and service.

Three years ago, the university awarded $30 million to research teams and individual investigators tackling vital questions in areas ranging from global health to safe and efficient energy production to the promotion of economic growth and equality.  

That investment has paid off in a surge of additional funding for the projects unlocked from external sources—nearly double the  initial expenditure so far. It‘s paying off as well in life-enhancing results for our nation, state and world.

Now UMD is upping the ante on doing good for humanity with the Grand Challenges Grants Program 2.0. The university is now accepting proposals that will result in funding for up to 10 creative new institutional and team projects to address the most important societal challenges of our time.

Read on to learn more about the program’s impact so far.

As weather grows more volatile, the scientists of the Climate Resilience Network are working with state and federal agencies to protect Marylanders and their livelihoods. The team oversees Mesonet, a statewide weather tower network that warns of approaching storms and provides climate data to farmers, and the growing Hydronet sensor system that monitors coastal flooding. 

From Baltimore neighborhoods to Nepal and Tanzania, the members of the Global FEWture Alliance apply their multidisciplinary expertise to health and environmental challenges at the food-energy-water (FEW) nexus. Projects include harvesting rainwater for urban agriculture, using energy-efficient water treatment methods and converting landfill waste into clean energy—scalable solutions that aim to build healthier, more sustainable communities.

After conducting a comprehensive review of literacy instruction in all 24 Maryland public school districts, researchers with the Maryland Initiative for Literacy and Equity have worked with teachers, staff and principals around the state to implement their recommendations to help every student read and write proficiently.

Playing a musical instrument can benefit brain development, mental health and academic success, but in-person lessons aren’t easily available to everyone. The team behind Music Education for All Through Personalized AI and Digital Humanities is designing and refining software that will use artificial intelligence and computer vision to help students, teachers and parents evaluate progress in mastering musical skills.

People with disabilities face barriers in education, employment and health care when they can’t use or navigate websites, apps or online documents. The Maryland Initiative for Digital Accessibility brings together UMD experts to change that. Through workshops, research and courses, it’s actively working with industry, academia, and state and federal agencies to proactively build in accessibility when developing new tech.