This year’s grant recipients were determined through a thoughtful and inclusive selection process that reflects the power of collective philanthropy. All members were invited to review proposals through a dedicated online platform and participate in a ranked-choice vote, identifying their top ten initiatives.
This collective input directly informed the selection of this year’s awardees and ensured that the full $119,000 in available funding was allocated to the projects that resonated most strongly with the community. Funding for these selected initiatives will be put into action immediately, supporting these efforts in the upcoming academic year.
We are proud to recognize the following initiatives selected for funding in this inaugural grant cycle.
The Women’s Leadership Program is a transformative, 10-month experience designed to support students as they transition from college to the professional world. Through professional coaching, peer cohorts, expert-led workshops, and community-building experiences, participants will strengthen critical skills such as communication, confidence, and strategic thinking.
By investing in students before they enter their careers, this program helps ensure they are prepared to lead with clarity, resilience, and purpose. Funding from the Maryland Women’s Society will support a cohort-based model that fosters connection, accountability, and long-term professional growth.
Nourishing EdTerps addresses student food insecurity by sustaining and expanding the College of Education’s food pantry, ensuring reliable access to nutritious food for students navigating demanding academic and personal commitments. Located in a central, accessible space, the pantry provides healthy meals and snacks in a low-barrier, student-centered environment. This funding will allow for consistent replenishment, expanded offerings, and enhancements to the pantry space, helping to reduce hunger-related stress and support student wellbeing. By meeting a fundamental need, the initiative enables future educators to focus on their studies and persist toward their goals.
HERizon Innovation advances a bold, interdisciplinary approach to women’s health by aligning engineering, research, and collaboration to address longstanding gaps in innovation and care. Through a flagship symposium, pilot research grants, and graduate student engagement, the initiative will catalyze new ideas and accelerate technology-driven solutions in areas where women’s health has been historically underfunded. This investment positions the University of Maryland as a leader in engineering-driven women’s health innovation, fostering collaboration, expanding research capacity, and driving meaningful progress toward more equitable and effective healthcare solutions.
If you’re interested in a proposal that was not selected for funding, we encourage you to explore these initiatives further. Many can still be supported individually through links and contact information available on our website.
We look forward to opening the next grant application process in Fall 2026.
For more information, please contact the Office of Donor Relations at donorrelations@umd.edu.