USM BOR Student Excellence

he application portal for the 2026 Board of Regents Student Excellence Scholarships is now open!

Background & Purpose: The University System of Maryland (USM) is the state’s public higher education system consisting of 12 institutions and 3 regional higher education centers spread across the state of Maryland. Consistently ranked as one of the most premier university systems in the country, the USM prides itself on its ability to inspire the next generation of leaders that go on to shape policy, science, technology, business, education, art, and culture.

Keeping in line with that mission and vision of the USM, the Board of Regents and the University System of Maryland Student Council (USMSC) are introducing the Board of Regents Student Excellence Scholarships to recognize exceptionally talented students who are making contributions in various aspects of student life.

Eligibility:
The applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Current undergraduate students (taking 9 credits or more) or graduate students (no credit minimum, student must meet continuous registration requirements of student’s respective graduate school) who are enrolled at a USM institution (even via a Regional Higher Education Center) in Spring 2026
• Be in good academic standing (3.0 GPA or above)
• Be in good conduct/disciplinary standing (as determined by the nominee’s institution)
• Apply to the Leadership and Advocacy or Outreach and Engagement category based on work/service that is not part of course or internship requirements or a job. The fact that your work/service is not part of a course, internship, or job requirements must be clear in your materials
• A student who won a Board of Regents Excellence Scholarship last year is not eligible for a scholarship in the same category

Categories:
Scholarships will be granted to up to two undergraduate students (one freshman or sophomore and one junior or senior) and up to one graduate student from among the diverse USM student community exhibiting achievements in the following categories: (1) Leadership and Advocacy; (2) Outreach and Engagement; (3) Innovation and Creativity; and (4) Academics, Scholarship, and Research.

Leadership and Advocacy: This category recognizes students’ achievements in advocacy and leadership on campus. This may include, but is not limited to, advancing a cause, policy, or program objective that benefits the campus community; leadership within student organizations or athletics; mentoring; and justice and inclusion work. Applications under this category must be based on work/service that is not part of course or internship requirements or a job.

Outreach and Engagement: This category recognizes students’ achievements in public service, outreach, and engagement in the community outside of their university and beyond. This may include, but is not limited to, community service/volunteer work in civic, social, and/or cultural organizations; civic engagement; and philanthropy. Applications under this category must be based on work/service that is not part of course or internship requirements or a job.

Innovation and Creative Activity: This category recognizes students’ achievements in the creative and performing arts (music, dance, fine arts, literature) and/or innovations to include entrepreneurship. Applications under this category may be based on work/service that began as part of course or internship requirements or a job, but applicants should describe how that work/service has been extended beyond the parameters of a course, internship, or job. Applications under this category may also be based on work/service that has resulted in monetary compensation.

Academics, Scholarship, and Research: This category recognizes students’ academic, scholarship, or research achievements as exemplified by one or more of the following: a stellar academic record; extraordinary publications; substantive research; merit awards; competitive selection for presentations at regional and national academic societies and conferences; etc.

Application Process:
The application portal opens on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

By Friday, February 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST:
Apply for one (maximum of one application per student) of the aforementioned categories via https://www.usmd.edu/regents/student_excellence_scholarship/.
Complete all applicable sections of the application including: (1) a 300-350-word essay describing how, during your time at your university, you are displaying excellence in the category of nomination; (2) your Fall 2025 unofficial transcript (only for applicants in the Academics, Scholarship, and Research category; (3) your resume, and (4) a separate, bulleted list of 2-4 experiences that are most compellingly relevant to the category to which you are applying. Each bullet should be no more than 3 sentences. All materials will be considered.

Have one letter of recommendation (PDF file) emailed directly to bor-studentexcellencescholarships@usmd.edu by the recommender. Recommenders must be a supervisor, faculty member/professor, mentor, organizational leader, etc. and cannot be a student.
Your application is incomplete if any of the aforementioned four items are missing or if your letter of recommendation has not been received. Incomplete applications will not be processed or evaluated.