Subject: UMD crowdfunding application due Jan. 10 Description: Dear CMNS students— With two UMD crowdfunding rounds completed this fall, Launch UMD is now accepting applications for its next session. Applications are available at http://ter.ps/launchapp. Applications are due Jan. 10, with the program likely running during the month of February. 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? A new crowdfunding effort at UMD, 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 being 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 April 2014 with a pilot round of five crowdfunding projects, all of which met and exceeded their fundraising goals. This fall, 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. For specific questions and more details, please contact me or Nora Pittmann, 301-405-8076, [log in to unmask] You can also visit https://www.launch.umd.edu/ and https://www.launch.umd.edu/faq. Please let me know if you have an idea that you think can work. I look forward to hearing from you! Thanks, Abby -- Abby V. Robinson, Ph.D. Director of Communications College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences University of Maryland 2318 Symons Hall 301-405-5845 [log in to unmask] www.cmns.umd.edu @UMDscience Contact Person: Abby V. Robinson, Ph.D. Contact Email: [log in to unmask]