A Message from Dr. Mel Bernstein, Vice President for Research

Academically-based research is a critical contributor to graduate and undergraduate education programs, to local and national economic development and to advancing peoples’ health, security and general well being, both in the US and internationally.
As the flagship campus of the Maryland System, the University of Maryland-College Park plays a leadership role in Maryland’s growth as one of the premier centers for research and technology in the nation. For example, the University is rapidly increasing its visibility and impact and is now ranked 17th among national public research universities by the U.S. News & World Report. This year, the University of Maryland received approximately $350 million in direct research funding. On average, each principal investigator brings in nearly $409,000 in research funds each year, an increase of 75% over 10 years.

The University of Maryland's close proximity to Washington, D.C., provides a unique opportunity to work closely with government researchers and the policy-makers who initiate and guide research initiatives at all of the science-based Federal agencies. Examples include, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the national Science Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Security Agency (NSA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Departments of Defense (DOD) and Energy (DOE). This strong collaboration between the University and the federal government has enabled the Campus to participate in a variety of cutting edge scientific and technological areas, including food safety, secure wireless communications, nanotechnology, biotechnology, language and linguistic research, homeland security, and transportation safety. Our faculty researchers also work closely with the State of Maryland, positively impacting the economic vitality of the State and the surrounding region. The creation of a new research park, the 128-acre University of Maryland Enterprise Campus (also known as M Square), has already had significant impact on the University's ability to attract new research activities and businesses to the area. Private funding is also central to our research programs, and many large corporations use the University's broad expertise in science, engineering, business and policy to design and build better models and products for consumers and industry and better strategies for economic and social development.

By virtually every measure of quality, the University of Maryland has gained national recognition as one of the fastest rising comprehensive research institutions in the country, and in a very real way is helping to redefine the research university of the 21st century. . You are cordially invited to visit the College Park campus and to meet with faculty and staff to explore how your research interests and career aspirations match the multiple strengths of our programs and faculty. I look forward to welcoming you.

Dr. Mel Bernstein