Subject: Submit a UMD crowdfunding application today

Description:
Launch UMD (http://www.launch.umd.edu) is now accepting applications for its
30-day fall crowdfunding rounds. The deadline for submitting applications for
the first fall round is August 12. The application is available at
www.launch.umd.edu. Let me know if you have an idea that you want to propose
and I’ll be happy to provide feedback on your application before you submit
it for review.

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What could you do with $5,000 or $10,000 or more, to support a student
project, trip, activity, lab, course or competition? Do you have any projects
coming up or things that you dream of doing but just don’t have the
necessary funding? UMD’s crowdfunding effort called Launch UMD could
provide the funding you need!

Crowdfunding is a great way to engage members of the UMD community, including
alumni and families of students, with specific, exciting projects initiated
by our students, faculty and staff. Money can be used for things like
equipment, competitions, sending students to a conference or training or to
conduct research; and sustainability and community efforts.

Launch UMD began in Spring 2014 with a pilot round of five crowdfunding
projects, all of which met and exceeded their fundraising goals. In Fall
2014, a CMNS entomology project to “save the bees” by placing sentinel
hives around the state of Maryland blew past its initial goal of $8,000 and
raised $24,105. Another CMNS project to purchase a 3-D scanner and printer
for geology raised $8,000, which was $1,000 more than its goal. CMNS projects
in Spring 2015 raised more than $5,000 to bring the Baltimore Checkerspot
Butterfly back to campus and nearly $9,000 to build an astronomy all-sky
camera network in Maryland. CMNS projects in Fall 2015 raised $10,000 to
purchase a weather balloon system and $4,000 for a K-12 STEM tutoring and
mentoring program. A Spring 2016 project raised $9,000 to support UMD’s
SpaceX Hyperloop team that includes CMNS students.

Contact Person: Abby Robinson
Contact Email: [log in to unmask]
Contact Phone Number: 301-405-5845
Website URL: http://www.launch.umd.edu