Partnership
![University System of Maryland logo](https://umfirst.umaryland.edu/media/som/research-general/umfirst/images/usm-logo.jpg)
www.usmd.edu
The University of Maryland FIRST program is a partnership between the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).
Both institutions are members of the University System of Maryland (USM) and are located only 8 miles from each other. UMSOM and UMBC have shared degree programs in multiple areas, shared research facilities, and a shared organizational structure.
Previous collaborations between UMSOM and UMBC include:
- faculty research collaborations
- student learning opportunities
- facilities
- degree programs
- entrepreneurial activities
- community engagement
The UM FIRST partnership exploits the strengths of each institution. UMBC is particularly renowned for its diversity and inclusion initiatives, including the nationally renowned Meyerhoff Scholars Program, which has been highly successful at preparing large numbers of students from underrepresented groups for careers as research scientists. UMSOM is a leader in biomedical and public health research, with more than $555M in research grants and contracts, including more than $210M in NIH funding, in FY21.
About UMSOM
Now in its third century, the University of Maryland School of Medicine was chartered in 1807 as the first public medical school in the United States. It continues today as one of the fastest growing, top-tier biomedical research enterprises in the world — with 46 academic departments, centers, institutes, and programs, and a faculty of more than 3,000 physicians, scientists, and allied health professionals, including members of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, and a distinguished two-time winner of the Albert E. Lasker Award in Medical Research.
Read more about UMSOM
With an operating budget of more than $1.3 billion, the School of Medicine works closely in partnership with the University of Maryland Medical Center and Medical System to provide research-intensive, academic, and clinically based care for nearly 2 million patients each year. The School of Medicine has nearly $600 million in extramural funding, including approximately $140 million in NIH funding, with most of its academic departments highly ranked among all medical schools in the nation in research funding. As one of the seven professional schools that make up the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus, the School of Medicine has a total population of nearly 9,000 faculty and staff, including 2,500 students, trainees, residents, and fellows. The combined School of Medicine and Medical System (“University of Maryland Medicine”) has an annual budget of over $6 billion and an economic impact of nearly $20 billion on the state and local community.
The School of Medicine, which ranks as the 8th highest among public medical schools in research productivity (according to the Association of American Medical Colleges profile) is an innovator in translational medicine, with 606 active patents and 52 start-up companies. In the latest U.S. News & World Report ranking of the Best Medical Schools, published in 2021, the UM School of Medicine is ranked #9 among the 92 public medical schools in the U.S., and in the top 15 percent (#27) of all 192 public and private U.S. medical schools. The School of Medicine works locally, nationally, and globally, with research and treatment facilities in 36 countries around the world. Visit medschool.umaryland.edu for more information.
About the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
![UMBC Logo](https://umfirst.umaryland.edu/media/som/research-general/umfirst/images/umbc-logo.jpg)
www.umbc.edu
UMBC is a dynamic public research university integrating teaching, research, and service to benefit the citizens of Maryland. As an Honors University, the campus offers academically talented students a strong undergraduate liberal arts foundation that prepares them for graduate and professional study, entry into the workforce, and community service and leadership.
UMBC emphasizes science, engineering, information technology, human services, and public policy at the graduate level. UMBC contributes to the economic development of the State and the region through entrepreneurial initiatives, workforce training, K-16 partnerships, and technology commercialization in collaboration with public agencies and the corporate community. UMBC is dedicated to cultural and ethnic diversity, social responsibility, and lifelong learning.
Our UMBC community redefines excellence in higher education through an inclusive culture that connects innovative teaching and learning, research across disciplines, and civic engagement. We will advance knowledge, economic prosperity, and social justice by welcoming and inspiring inquisitive minds from all backgrounds.
UMBC serves a total of 14,000 undergraduate and graduate students and combines the learning opportunities of a liberal arts college with the creative intensity of a leading research university. UMBC was classified as an R1 ("very high research activity") institution in 2022 under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. UMBC is one of the country's most inclusive education communities, including students from more than 90 countries. UMBC also contributes to Maryland through strong government and industry partnerships that advance K–16 education, entrepreneurship, workforce training, and technology commercialization. U.S. News & World Report has named UMBC a national leader in both innovation and undergraduate teaching and has recognized UMBC's graduate programs as among the nation's best. Times Higher Education has recognized UMBC as one of the world's top 100 young universities for strong research, innovation, and an international outlook and in 2022 recognized by Modern Think's Great Colleges to Work For program. Visit umbc.edu for more information.