The University System of Maryland (USM) Langenberg Legacy Program invites applicants for the prestigious Langenberg Legacy Fellowship Program. Undergraduate and graduate students who are motivated to improve the world we live in through local, justice-oriented action are encouraged to apply.

Each USM institution has been invited to nominate one student. By completing the application form, you will be requesting that UMBC nominate you for the Langenberg Legacy Fellowship Program. 

Program Description from USM: “USM is committed to civic education and civic engagement, and the Langenberg Legacy is a grant program that supports this priority by funding student-led projects dedicated to civic engagement. The Langenberg Legacy evolved out of the Langenberg Lecture and Award program, which was originally established to honor former USM Chancellor Donald N. Langenberg on his retirement in 2002.

“The existential threats of our time include wealth inequality, the climate crisis, voter suppression, and widespread disinformation campaigns, among others. Students are invited to propose projects that aim to combat these threats on a small scale, promoting justice within their university community. USM encourages participation from students representing a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.”

Project Requirements:

• Projects must take place on campus or within the campus community.
• Projects are action-oriented. You are welcome to include a research component in your project, but you must include an activity (e.g., event, lecture, panel discussion, volunteering).
• Projects must involve a faculty or staff sponsor. As part of the application process, you are responsible for finding a faculty or staff member on campus to act as your sponsor to assist in project implementation.

Fellowship Benefits: Fellows will receive a $1,500 total stipend. Fellows will also be invited to participate in community building activities hosted by the USM during the coming year, such as networking meet-and-greets, professional development webinars, and events to recognize Fellows and their work.

Fellowship Requirements:

• Complete and submit your application by the deadline: Monday, March 10, 2025 at 5 p.m.
• Find a faculty/staff sponsor to write you a letter of recommendation by the deadline and advise you on your proposed project.
• Complete a final report after completing your project. The report should include a brief description of the project and a personal reflection on how the project impacted you and the campus community.

Faculty/Staff Sponsor Guidelines:
To support successful projects, Langenberg Legacy Fellows are required to have a faculty or staff sponsor. They may be more involved with advising the Fellow throughout implementation of the project as appropriate, but the project is to be conducted and completed by the student Fellow. Faculty/staff sponsors will be invited to Langenberg Legacy community building events (to be scheduled in 2025 and 2026), including the presentation of student projects and celebration, to be held in May 2026. Sponsors will receive $500 in the spring semester of 2026, following student submission of the final project report to USM. The sponsor’s responsibilities include the items listed below:

• Providing a letter of recommendation for the student to include as part of their application.
• Reviewing student’s project proposal to ensure that student projects are appropriate and reasonable.
• Connecting the student to campus resources, as appropriate.
• Monthly meetings with the student fellow.

Application Form

Questions? Email the Center for Democracy and Civic Life at civiclife@umbc.edu.