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. College of Education faculty and staff are involved in 11 of the 50 Grand Challenges Grants.
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.
"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,” said Jennifer King Rice, senior vice president and provost at UMD and professor in the College of Education.
Read on to learn about the College of Education's work on a few of these projects. To find out more about the impact of the Grand Challenges Grants, read the full article in Maryland Today.
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.
The Maryland Democracy Initiative helps prepare people for a lifetime of civic participation. It has produced voter guides, supported voter registration drives and trained people on how to advocate for causes with policymakers and present testimony on bills. It also created K-12 teaching materials and professional development programs on civic literacy skills such as using credible sources to inform opinions and to discuss public issues.
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.
The Maryland Democracy Initiative, the Center for Educational Data Science and Innovation and the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM) 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.
This article is adapted from a story that first appeared in Maryland Today.
