Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) engages students of all backgrounds and disciplines in research project teams led by UMD faculty members. Undergraduates join a team of peer students, work towards common project goals, and gain hands-on experience while earning course credit for their work. This opportunity is open to UMD undergraduates who have completed at least two semesters and are in good academic standing. Applications purposefully do not ask about GPAs, grades, or prior academic experience. Students are primarily selected based on motivation, interest, and commitment toward the team they hope to join.
Applications are open until Friday, April 24, 2026.
Teams that may be of interest to AGNR students include:
Community Learning Garden - Led by Dr. Meredith Epstein, Institute of Applied Agriculture
FIELDS: Food, Integrated Environmental, Animal & Laboratory Detection Systems - Led by Dr. Magaly Toro, Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
Impact Lab: Integrated Media for Policy, Agriculture, Climate & Technology - Led by Dr. Rebecca Epanchin-Niell, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
21 Additional VIP Teams accepting applications to explore.
Questions can be directed to the VIP Admin Team (vipmaryland@umd.edu).