Like SPACE and need a SCHOLARSHIP? Applications are open for the 2026-27 Maryland Space Grant Scholarships

Applications are open for the 2026-27 Maryland Space Grant Scholarships, with a deadline of May 13, 2026: https://md.spacegrant.org/mdsgc-programs/scholarships/

These scholarships are awarded to full-time STEM majors who are planning to work for NASA or other space-research or aerospace-related careers. 

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and enrolled full-time at UMD. Eligibility requirements also include a 3.0 GPA or better. 

Space Grant puts a strong emphasis on funding students from groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in Astronomy, including women, persons of color, veterans, and LGBT+ students.  It's not absolutely certain that NASA will provide funding for this scholarship this year, but the organizers are going forward with recruitment in the hopes that funding will solidify by the summer.  Hopefully this will be ascertained before recipients are selected, which usually happens in July.  

(Please note: if you are in an engineering major, there is a separate Space Grant Scholarship program specifically for engineering - contact your engineering academic advisor to find out about this.)

Awards are typically in the $1k - 2k range and must be used for educational expenses (tuition, books, fees, and room and board). The award is for one year and is renewable annually; current scholarship recipients must re-apply each year.

Please feel free to contact Dr.Melissa N. Hayes-Gehrke (mhayesge@umd.edu) or the MD Space Grant office (collinge@jhu.edu) if you have any questions. Good luck!

Paint Your Peace: Coping with ARTiculate Narratives and Mindfulness

Paint Your Peace: Coping with ARTiculate Narratives and Mindfulness

Friday, May 1 | 2-4PM

Stamp Studio A

Create. Breathe. Reset.

Finals season approaching? Take a mindful pause and recharge through creativity. Engage in a hands-on workshop where art meets self-care.

Join the UMD Stamp Gallery, Studio A, and the ARTiculate Narratives Project to learn about the transformative power of art for mindful self-expression. Hear from the founder of the ARTiculate Narratives Project as she shares remarkable artwork and inspiring narratives from Kenyan artists and Indian children with neurodisabilities—pieces which will be featured in the Stamp Gallery’s summer exhibition.

Explore the power of art for mindful self-expression.
 Witness remarkable artwork that will be featured in the Stamp Gallery’s summer exhibition.
 Create your own piece of meditative art in Studio A—no experience needed!

Whether you are overwhelmed by finals or just want a creative break, come breathe, paint, and reconnect with yourself and the community. All materials provided.

Supported by Arts for All, a Do Good Mini Grant, Pepsi, and Stamp Programs. Register HERE to reserve your spot.

Neuroethics lecture, April 23, 2026: Dr. Sara Goering, University of Washington on Ethics Integration in Neuroscience and Neural Engineering

 We're thrilled to invite you for a neuroethics lecture for our NSF-funded project,  EFRI BEGIN OI: Spatiotemporal Learning in 3D Neuronal Organoids.

Dr. Sara Goering of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Washington will discuss "Responsible Research and Innovation in Neuroscience and Neural Engineering:
How does ethics integration work?"

April 23, 2026, 5:30 pm EDT
Zoom address: https://umd.zoom.us/j/5562865397?omn=94116021445 

Abstract: In this talk, I start by framing the reasons for funding ethics and social science integration in large-scale neuroscience and neural engineering projects. Then I offer brief reports from two empirical studies about ethics integration efforts, sharing perspectives from neuroscientists as well as ethicists. At the end, I share a few tentative recommendations regarding how to set up successful integration efforts.

Bio: Sara Goering is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Washington, Seattle, with appointments in the Program on Ethics, Disability Studies Program, and Department of Bioethics & Humanities. Most of her work is at the intersection of neuroethics, feminist philosophy, and philosophy of disability. For years, she organized and co-led the ethics thrust at the NSF-funded Center for Neurotechnology. With colleague Eran Klein, she runs the UW Neuroethics Research Group which mainly focuses on ethical issues related to early-phase, implantable neural device studies in humans. Their current NIH R01 is Caring for BRAIN Pioneers (R01MH130457).

Did you hear? DOTS Shuttle-UM is redesigning the campus bus network!

 Route Reset aims to align Shuttle-UM service with how people travel today and with regional public transit. Take the 5-minute survey by May 5 to help shape future routes, and you can enter to win: 

• Apple Airpods

• $150 at the University Book Center

• A Summer Break Blind Box

Alumni Student highlights: LANI TRAN

 

Spotlight flyer featuring Lani Tran, University of Maryland alumna with degrees in Neuroscience and Philosophy, recognized as a recipient of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship and now pursuing graduate study at the University of Pennsylvania.

Study Abroad Mini Fair

 

Planning to study abroad in 2027? Attend the Study Abroad Mini Fair on May 5 to explore programs for Winter, Spring and Spring Break and get guidance on starting your application. Meet advisors, compare options, attend info sessions and learn how to take your next step.

📅 May 5, 2026 | 📍 Adele H. Stamp Student Union | 🔗 go.umd.edu/minifair

AIM Research & Learning Symposium

 

There is still time to register for the AIM Research & Learning Symposium on Tuesday, May 5!

Time: 9:30 am - 4:00pm

Location: Stamp Student Union

Experience the full breadth of AI work happening across campus: This year’s symposium will feature more than 40 interdisciplinary AI research posters from undergraduate and graduate researchers, as well as faculty representing a wide range of fields across the university.

• Engage with distinguished speakers and timely conversations: The day will include keynote talks, AIM faculty affiliate presentations, and distinctive panel conversations exploring how artificial intelligence is shaping research, learning, and society.
• Connect across disciplines: The symposium is designed as a space for meaningful exchange—bringing together researchers, educators, students, and practitioners whose work reflects the many directions AI is moving across our university community. 

We would be delighted to welcome members of the broader university community for what promises to be a thoughtful and energizing day of exchange. 

Here, we lead Fearlessly Forward. Together, we go Fearlessly Forward. 

Complete your registration today and join us for a day of ideas, dialogue, and discovery!!