Funding Process

UM-BILD provides seed investments of up to $75,000 and development resources to support the translation of basic science research projects into commercial products that will advance patient care.

Investigators working on technologies in the therapeutic, medical device, diagnostic, and digital health areas – particularly those that have the potential to address healthcare disparities or otherwise benefit residents of Baltimore – are encouraged to apply for funding. Experience with entrepreneurship is not required; entrepreneurial education and mentorship will be provided as part of the program.

Applications for the UM-BILD Accelerator will open in February 2025
for the September 2025 funding cycle (Cohort 3).

Eligibility

The Principal Investigator (PI) must be a faculty member (at least 0.51 FTE) at of one of UM-BILD’s partner institutions (listed below). Joint applications and inter-university teams are encouraged.
- University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB)
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
- Morgan State University (MSU)
- Faculty at other Baltimore City public universities may also qualify.
Technologies must be disclosed to the Technology Transfer Office at the PI’s university (UMB, UMBC, MSU, or another Baltimore City public university).
- By the LOI submission deadline, the technology must be assigned to the university or subject to university ownership.
- A technology whose development has been funded by a Sponsored Research Agreement may be “encumbered” – that is, the sponsor may have an ownership interest. If this may be the case, prior to writing the Letter of Intent, please email UM-BILD@umaryland.edu to discuss eligibility.
Projects based on early-stage technologies are acceptable.
Familiarity with entrepreneurship is not required.