The program supports early-stage, high-impact, interdisciplinary AI research that addresses critical societal challenges. It aims to foster collaboration across disciplines and lay the groundwork for projects with potential for external funding.

The program is administered by the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM) at the University of Maryland.

AIM Prioritizes research aligned with:

• Accessibility – Disability, aging, neurodiversity, and adaptive technologies.
• Sustainability – Climate, agriculture, food security, and public health.
• Justice – Equity, digital inclusion, and fairness in AI.
• Learning – Education, workforce development, and cognitive enhancement.

Projects outside these areas are eligible but will receive lower priority.

To streamline review, encourage broad participation, and focus evaluation on the most promising and well-aligned projects.

Only UMD tenure-track or professional-track faculty affiliated with AIM are eligible to serve as Principal Investigators (PIs) that have not received funding from AIM in the past.

No. Only eligible UMD faculty may serve as PIs. Students who are interested in aim@umd.edu.

No. Individuals who have received an AIM Seed Award (in any track) in the previous cycle are not eligible to apply.

No. Each PI may submit only one proposal per cycle, regardless of track.

Yes. Community, industry, or nonprofit partners are encouraged—particularly if their participation strengthens the project’s societal relevance.

• Track A - Collaborative Research Teams: Requires at least two AIM-affiliated faculty PIs from different disciplines. Supports large, interdisciplinary projects.
• Track B – Individual Faculty Projects: Supports innovative, smaller-scale projects led by a single AIM-affiliated faculty member.

Not necessarily, but projects must demonstrate clear interdisciplinarity and distinct contributions from each PI. Each PI should distinguish their different expertise and why the project is interdisciplinary.

Yes, students may participate, but the project must have only one PI and cannot list co-PIs.

Yes. An LOI is required for all applicants and serves as the first stage of review.

Two pages maximum, single-spaced, 1-inch margins, minimum 11pt font. Specific content requirements are listed in the call.

It will be desk rejected and not reviewed.

Yes, but only if they clarify design, methods, or anticipated outcomes. They must use at least 10pt font and fit within the two-page limit.

A simple summary table showing the total proposed amount and brief justifications. It’s only an estimate and may be revised later.

No, letters of support are optional for the LOI.

By a multidisciplinary AIM committee using the published criteria (alignment with AIM focus areas, innovation, interdisciplinarity, feasibility, potential impact, budget scale, and collaboration).

Approximately 25–30% of LOIs will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Invited applicants will submit:

• 4-page project narrative (plus references, budget, and biosketches)
• Budget and justification
• CVs (2 pages each)
• Optional letters of support

Proposals are reviewed by AIM’s interdisciplinary committee using criteria such as significance, innovation, interdisciplinarity, feasibility, impact, and cost-effectiveness.

Yes. Budgets may be modified in the full proposal to reflect refined plans or feedback.

• Track A: $25,000–$75,000
• Track B: $5,000–$20,000

No. Budgets must be commensurate with the work, and maximum awards are rare to allow more projects to be funded.

No formal match is required, but letters of unit or departmental support are viewed favorably.

Allowable Costs

• Personnel: Salaries and fringe benefits for faculty, staff, and students directly involved in the project.
• Supplies & Materials: Laboratory supplies, consumables, and materials directly related to the project (e.g., chemicals, software licenses).
• Equipment (Max $10K): Essential equipment with a useful life over one year (subject to limits/approval).
• Travel: Travel expenses for project-related activities (e.g., conferences, fieldwork), directly tied to the research.
• Consultants & Subcontracts: Payments to consultants or subcontractors for specific expertise, with justification.
• Other Direct Costs: Compute costs (e.g., AWS), data collection, software, communication (e.g., mailing, shipping), and training relevant to the project.

Unallowable Costs

• Personal Expenses: Personal items (e.g., clothing, cell phones) or entertainment unrelated to the project.
• Unjustified Large Equipment: High-cost equipment not essential or justified for the project.
• Fines & Penalties: Legal costs or penalties for policy violations.
• Capital Improvements: Renovations, real estate purchases, or construction.
• Indirect Costs: Costs exceeding the allowable rate.
• Alcohol & Entertainment: Costs for alcohol or non-research-related social events.
• Lobbying & Advocacy: Costs related to lobbying or political advocacy.
• Unrelated Memberships: Memberships or subscriptions not directly needed for research.
• Unjustified Overseas Travel: International travel not directly related to the research.

For any questions regarding allowable/unallowable costs, please contact aim@umd.edu

No. Indirect costs or overhead are not allowable.

Yes, if their work is directly related to the project’s goals.

LOIs will be reviewed between December 2025 and mid-January 2026.

By January 16, 2026.

February 27, 2026.

May 1, 2026.

From July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

Through the AIM online submission portal(link provided in the call). Only PDF uploads are accepted.

Use the format: PI_LastName_AIM_LOI2026.pdf.

Edits are allowed until the submission deadline.

Email aim@umd.edu for assistance.

Funds will be available beginning July 1, 2026, after all compliance and administrative approvals are complete.

Awardees must submit a brief final report within 60 days of project completion summarizing outcomes, outputs, and future plans.

No. All funds must be expended within the 12-month project period.

No. Funding officially begins July 1, 2026.

That’s fine — indicate all relevant areas and explain the connection. Interdisciplinary overlap is encouraged.

Yes, if they demonstrate a clear and substantive integration of AI methods, technologies, or implications.

Yes, provided they advance understanding or innovation in AI aligned with AIM’s mission and focus areas.

AIM may provide brief feedback to applicants not invited to submit full proposals, as time allows.

Email aim@umd.edu with “Seed Award Question” in the subject line.