A Scholar's Program for Industry-Oriented Research in Engineering
Get paid to do real engineering research. ASPIRE scholarships fund Clark School undergraduates to work on industry-relevant research projects with a faculty or staff mentor.
$1,200
Per Semester
$4,000
For The Summer
Spring 2027 applications are due 2/10
At a Glance
Award
$1,200
per semester
$4,000
per summer
Credited to your university
student account
Who
Clark School undergraduate engineering majors
14+ credits, 3.0+ GPA
When
Fall, Spring,
or Summer terms
Apply each term, even for continuing projects
Limit
Maximum of two ASPIRE awards per student
How
Find a faculty/staff mentor
submit two forms + résumé by email
About ASPIRE
ASPIRE gives undergraduate engineering students a way to go beyond the classroom: paid research on real projects with industry relevance, guided by an A. James Clark School of Engineering faculty or staff mentor. You'll build the kind of hands-on research experience that gives you an edge applying for jobs or graduate school, and you'll be paid a scholarship for it.
The program is run by the Idea Factory, the Clark School's innovation and entrepreneurship institute. Projects run during the Fall, Spring, or Summer terms. At the end of each term, scholars submit a mentor-approved project report, and are encouraged to present a poster at the campus Undergraduate Research Day each April.
Photo: an ASPIRE student working in an Idea Factory lab.
Eligibility
Are an undergraduate engineering major in the A. James Clark School of Engineering
Have completed at least 14 credit hours
Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
(In terms where the budget allows, a lower GPA may be accepted. Apply anyway if you're close.)
Have, or will find, a project mentor who is Clark School engineering faculty or staff
Have received fewer than two previous ASPIRE awards
How to Apply
01
Find a mentor.
.
Student
Browse faculty research interests on the Clark School department websites and reach out to faculty whose work interests you. You may contact any Clark School faculty or staff member directly. The faculty member decides whether one of their projects offers an appropriate role for you.
02
Agree on a project.
.
Student
Mentor
Define the project together. Mentors: this is also when you'll plan your matching-funds commitment; see For Mentors.
03
Complete the Project Description Form.
.
Mentor
04
Complete the Student Application Form and update your résumé.
.
Student
Include honors, awards, and publications.
05
Email everything before the deadline.
.
Student
Three files, named with your last name first. See the submission card.
Submission Card
Fall 2026
1
Student Application Form
Completed by the student
2
Project Description Form
Completed by the mentor
3
Your résumé
Including honors, awards, and publications
Smith-Application.pdf
Smith-ProjectDescription.pdf
Smith-Resume.pdf
Deadlines
Term
Application Deadline
Awards Announced
Project Report Due
Spring 2027
To be confirmed
To be confirmed
Last day of classes
Summer 2027
To be confirmed
To be confirmed
Last day of summer classes
Financial aid: ASPIRE awards are processed through the Office of Student Financial Aid. Summer awards may reduce need-based aid — contact the Office of Student Financial Aid before applying.
Summer commitments: Because summer awards require a substantial time commitment, students must confirm they have no major conflicting obligations before applying.
The project's educational value to the student
The student's qualifications
Benefits of a related ASPIRE project, if applicable
The amount of matching funds offered Mentor
FOR MENTORS
As a mentor, you:
01
Define a project with an appropriate role for an undergraduate, ideally with industry relevance.
02
Complete the Project Description Form for the student's application: download the form.
03
Commit matching funds. Mentors are required to provide matching funds, transferred to the Idea Factory, which pay part of the scholarship cost and increase the number of awards the program can make:
$300
MINIMUM
FALL OR SPRING
$1,000
MINIMUM
SUMMER
Matching funds beyond the minimum strengthen the application in evaluation.
Matching funds beyond the minimum strengthen the application in evaluation.
04
Guide the research during the term.
05
Approve the student's final project report due the last day of classes.
Questions about matching fund transfers, contact Joseph Naft.
AFTER THE AWARD
Getting paid
Funds are credited to your university student account through the financial aid office.
Project report
Submit a narrative-approved project report by the last day of classes (or the end of the summer term).
Research Day
Present a poster at Undergraduate Research Day in April. Encouraged for all scholars who haven't graduated by then.
Continuing on
Want to continue the project next term? Submit a new application; continuing projects are not renewed automatically. (Two-award lifetime maximum.)
FAQ
Can I continue the same project for another term?
Yes, but you must submit a new application for each semester or summer, and the two-award lifetime maximum applies.
My GPA is just under 3.0. Should I still apply?
Possibly. In terms where the budget is sufficient to fund all applications received by the deadline, a lower GPA may be accepted.
Can I do ASPIRE and an REU in the same summer?
No. Summer scholars may not have a major simultaneous time commitment to another program.
How do I find a mentor?
Any Clark School engineering faculty or staff member can mentor an ASPIRE project. Browse department websites for research interests and email faculty directly.
Will the award affect my financial aid?
It may. If you receive needs-based aid, the award is processed through the financial aid office. Check with the Office of Student Financial Aid first.
CONTACT
(301) 405-3886
Applications, eligibility, and matching-fund transfers.
WHERE ASPIRE FITS
ASPIRE is a Blueprint-stage program in the Idea Factory ecosystem.
