Invited UMBC Student Opportunities

STEM BUILD at UMBC Research Study Update!

Recruitment for the UMBC NIH BUILD research study has closed with the final cohort (8) that entered the UMBC STEM BUILD Program in the Fall of 2022.  Many of the components of the UMBC STEM BUILD program were created to be sustainable and have been incorporated into the academic structure of the university. 

Please check the College of Natural Mathematical Sciences (CNMS) website for opportunities to participate in workshops that will support your tenure as an undergraduate majoring in STEM.

STEM BUILD at UMBC is dedicated to providing a select group of first-year students (freshmen) with opportunities to help UMBC investigate ways to enhance the diversity and success of students who have the goal of pursuing baccalaureate degrees in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and careers/graduate school in the biomedical or behavioural research sciences. 

Consideration for the STEM BUILD at UMBC Research Study requires:
  • Status as a full-time, first year undergraduate student at UMBC
  • Declared major in one of the following STEM disciplines related to biomedical science: Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Chemical Engineering (biomedical focus), Mechanical Engineering (biomedical focus), Mathematics, Statistics, and Psychology B.S.
  • Plans to pursue a career or graduate school related to a STEM discipline
  • Documented interest in research in the biomedical or behavioral sciences
  • Documented Citizenship as either a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Willingness to live on-campus in the STEM LLC during the academic year – if selected for Group 1 BTP or Group 2 STEM LLC, and
  • Commitment to participate in the four-week BUILD summer bridge (July to August ) if selected for Group 1 – BTP.

Students who complete the application to STEM BUILD at UMBC, must be vetted for the research study opportunity before selection.  If a student is selected, attends UMBC, and agrees to participate in the research study, they will be randomly assigned to one of three groups which have a limited number openings for the  academic year. Choosing not to participate in the research study will not affect the student’s current or future relationship with UMBC.

Group One

Students randomized into the first group will fill the limited number of openings in the next Cohort of the BUILD Training Program (BTP), a comprehensive program of financial and programmatic support during the  academic year, beginning with the  Summer Bridge (July  to August). Joining the BTP requires a separate participation agreement and support may be continued for one additional year, depending on NIH support and student performance. Beginning this summer, students will be asked to complete annual surveys for our UMBC evaluation, to take part in focus groups or interviews about their college experience, and to complete annual surveys for a national evaluation.  Note:  After one year of program participation, BTP Trainees in good standing may have the opportunity for one additional year of comprehensive program support, if NIH funding continues.

Group Two

Students assigned to the second group will be given preferential admittance to the STEM Living and Learning Community, a campus housing area focused on first-year STEM academic success during the  academic year. Students in this group will not receive any funding support but will receive non-monetary programmatic support. Beginning this summer, students will be asked to complete annual surveys for our UMBC evaluation (and receive a $25 incentive), to take part in focus groups or interviews about their college experience, and to complete annual surveys for a national evaluation.

Group Three

Students assigned to the third group, the BUILD Control Group (CG) will not receive any monetary support or any specific programmatic support but, as CG members enrolled at UMBC, these students play a crucial role in the study and will be encouraged to access the many venues of support that are available to all UMBC undergraduates. Beginning this summer, students will be asked to complete surveys for our UMBC evaluation (and receive a $50 incentive), to take part in focus groups or interviews about their college experience, and to complete annual surveys for a national evaluation.