--- title: "At 3-Year Anniversary, Grand Challenges Grants Program Reaps Major Returns" date: 2026-02-16T05:30:00-05:00 author: University of Maryland canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/at-3-year-anniversary-grand-challenges-grants-program-reaps-major-returns" section: Articles --- # At 3-Year Anniversary, Grand Challenges Grants Program Reaps Major Returns *February 16, 2026* — by [Maryland Today Staff](/author/maryland-today-staff) > $30M Investment in UMD Research Advances Solutions to Societal Issues, Brings in $55M in External Funding The University of Maryland's [Grand Challenges Grants](https://research.umd.edu/gc) 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](https://provost.umd.edu/news/grand-challenges-grants-program-2-0). The university is[ now accepting](https://research.umd.edu/gc/2) 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. ### Our Public Impact Is Growing *50 projects, 450 partnerships, $30M UMD investment, $55M in additional external funding secured, 100% Maryland counties benefited, 6,500 students involved, 94% of projects have provided experiential learning opportunities, 63K stakeholders engaged* *woman in white coat works in lab* *man in white coat works in lab* ### Impact Data *bar graph showing growth from year 1 to year 2: Stakeholders engaged (campus and external): 31,962 vs. 72,983, external funding received: $24.8M vs. $55.9M, partnerships: 300 vs. 449, UMD students involved: 1,509 vs. 6,504* *researcher in red Maryland shirt works in farm* ### Areas of Research - [Access to Clean Water](https://research.umd.edu/gc/water) - [Cities of the Future](https://research.umd.edu/gc/cities) - [Civic Engagement](https://research.umd.edu/gc/democracy) - [Clean and Renewable Energy](https://research.umd.edu/gc/energy) - [Education](https://research.umd.edu/gc/education) - [Environment](https://research.umd.edu/gc/environment) - [Ethical and Trustworthy Technology](https://research.umd.edu/gc/technology) - [Food Insecurity](https://research.umd.edu/gc/food) - [Global Health](https://research.umd.edu/gc/health) - [Justice](https://research.umd.edu/gc/justice) - [Pandemic Preparedness](https://research.umd.edu/gc/pandemic) - [Wildfires](https://research.umd.edu/gc/wildfires) ### Protecting Our Planet *man in suit stands on dock* As weather grows more volatile, the scientists of the [Climate Resilience Network](https://climate.umd.edu/) 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. *drone* *two plastic bottles, with one crushed* ### Building Resilient Communities *people in red sweatshirts work in garden* From Baltimore neighborhoods to Nepal and Tanzania, the members of the [Global FEWture Alliance](https://globalfewture.umd.edu/) 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. *microscope* *researcher in mask, gloves and shoe covers collects sample* ### Strengthening Civic Foundations *teacher talks to three young students* After conducting a comprehensive review of literacy instruction in all 24 Maryland public school districts, researchers with the [Maryland Initiative for Literacy and Equity](https://www.mile.umd.edu/) have worked with teachers, staff and principals around the state to implement their recommendations to help every student read and write proficiently. *I Voted sticker with American flag* *U.S. Capitol building* ### Advancing Technology for the Public Good *Irina Muresanu holds violin* 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](https://research.umd.edu/music-ai) 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. *computer monitor, keyboard and mouse* 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](https://mida.umd.edu/) 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. ### Program Timeline - **Carousel Slide: GC MT Timeline 1920 x 1080 01** - **Carousel Slide: GC MT Timeline 1920 x 1080 02** - **Carousel Slide: GC MT Timeline 1920 x 1080 03** - **Carousel Slide: GC MT Timeline 1920 x 1080 04** - **Carousel Slide: GC MT Timeline 1920 x 1080 05** - **Carousel Slide: GC MT Timeline 1920 x 1080 06** - **Carousel Slide: GC MT Timeline 1920 x 1080 07** - **Carousel Slide: GC MT Timeline 1920 x 1080 08** ### An Expanding Legacy of Solutions The Grand Challenges Grants Program aspires to ignite projects that grow into transformative, long-term initiatives. *student in red Maryland sweatshirt on boat holds laptop and underwater robot — Bioengineering doctoral student William Chen prepares to launch an underwater robot from a fishing boat on the Chesapeake Bay to search for oysters, part of a multidisciplinary project to use AI and robotics to boost the health of the watershed while reinvigorating Maryland's oyster industry.* *four voting booths with American flag on wall — The [Maryland Democracy Initiative](https://mdi.umd.edu/), the [Center for Educational Data Science and Innovation](https://edsi.umd.edu/) and the [Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM)](https://aim.umd.edu/) all began as bold ideas supported by the program. They have since secured new funding to broaden their reach, elevate their work and amplify their public impact for years to come.* > At the University of Maryland, taking on humanity’s grand challenges means advancing research with real public impact—addressing urgent societal needs, strengthening communities and improving lives.” — —Jennifer King Rice, *Senior Vice President and Provost* *three researchers work in wetlands* **Topics:** [Research](https://today.umd.edu/tags/research) **Tags:** [Philanthropy](https://today.umd.edu/topic/philanthropy), [Research](https://today.umd.edu/topic/research) **Units:** [Division of Research](https://today.umd.edu/topic/division-research), [College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-computer-mathematical-and-natural-sciences), [College of Behavioral and Social Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-behavioral-and-social-sciences), [A. James Clark School of Engineering](https://today.umd.edu/topic/james-clark-school-engineering), [School of Public Health](https://today.umd.edu/topic/school-public-health), [College of Agriculture and Natural Resources](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-agriculture-and-natural-resources), [School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation](https://today.umd.edu/topic/school-architecture-planning-and-preservation), [Philip Merrill College of Journalism](https://today.umd.edu/topic/philip-merrill-college-journalism), [School of Public Policy](https://today.umd.edu/topic/school-public-policy), [Robert H. Smith School of Business](https://today.umd.edu/topic/robert-h-smith-school-business), [College of Arts and Humanities](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-arts-and-humanities), [College of Information](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-information-studies), [Office of the Provost](https://today.umd.edu/topic/office-provost)