Maryland Summer Scholars Program Information and Application

The Maryland Summer Scholars Program (MSS) provides opportunities for University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) undergraduates to spend much of the summer working closely with faculty mentors on ambitious research, scholarly, or artistic projects. The MSS program provides awards of $3,000 to approximately 25-30 undergraduates each summer.

Many Summer Scholars expand their summer research into an independent study or honors thesis project the following autumn semester, and find that their research experience helps distinguish their applications for graduate study, fellowships, internships, employment and other competitive opportunities.

Maryland Summer Scholars (MSS) may conduct their summer research on the College Park campus or elsewhere in the U.S. or abroad as required by the nature of the project. Students whose projects require travel for an extended period of time to off campus locations (not to include regular commuting) may submit a travel supplement request as directed in the online application form. Travel supplements will not exceed $1,000.

Eligibility: You are eligible to apply for an MSS award: if you have earned 12 or more UMD course credits (not including AP or IB credits) by the date of the application deadline; if you have a cumulative UMD GPA of 3.40 or higher by the date of the application deadline; and if you expect to receive your undergraduate degree no earlier than December 2021. All academic majors are eligible.

Application Deadline: The deadline to apply for summer 2021 awards will be Thursday, February 14, 2021. It is important that candidates begin developing their proposals as soon as possible.

A presentation about the MSS program is available on our website as well as on ELMS, along with presentations about additional summer research opportunities - for ELMS access please click here to complete a brief questionnaire. 

Important Tax Information: Please note that MSS awards are subject to taxation as personal income, and awardees should plan accordingly; tax withholding may apply. 

The Maryland Summer Scholars Program is sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Studies, the UMD Division of Research, UMD Schools and Colleges, and the Maryland Center for Undergraduate Research.