What is MESO?
The MESO network empowers Engineering student organizations by:
- Connecting orgs to resources and supporting them in reaching their goals
- Developing a community of Engineering student org leaders
MESO works in partnership with campus’ Student Organization Resource Center (SORC), providing additional resources that are unique to Engineering student organization interests and needs.
How to Become Recognized
- Review your org’s eligibility below. If your org is not first registered with SORC, you should register with them by their recognition date. Check the SORC website for more info.
- If eligible, orgs can complete the MESO New Recognition Form also by the date on the form. The next cycle will close in November 2026 (exact date to be announced).
Eligibility
Student organizations can become recognized as either a MESO Member or a STEM Affiliate based on their eligibility. Both recognition types have access to all MESO benefits. The different classifications help Maryland Engineering better track student organization needs, engage with interdisciplinary engineering organization, and note when other departments/schools are providing support.
Benefits
MESO Launch
- Organizations can still take advantage of most resources for this school year as they complete their MESO recognition process. Beginning Fall 2026, orgs will need to be actively recognized by MESO to receive its benefits, including access to tabling at the Maryland Engineering Student Org Fair.
- The MESO committee will prioritize launching an equitable space allocation process to be rolled out in 2026-2027. The Clark School of Engineering is exploring options for spaces to be equitably provided to Engineering student organizations and developing processes to ensure streamlined allocation of available spaces.
MESO Grants
Overview
Student orgs that are recognized by the Maryland Engineering Student Org (MESO) network are invited to apply for MESO grant funding! Grants ranging from $200-$10,000 are awarded towards org events, conferences, competitions, and materials.
Application Cycles
Click on the link to apply for the MESO Grant Application
MESO Grant Cycles: 2026-2027 Academic Year
| Cycle |
Apps Open |
Apps Closed |
Date Grantees Are Notified |
Date Grantees Would Receive Funds |
|---|
| Fall |
August 31 |
September 17 |
Week of October 5 |
Mid-October |
| Spring Cycle A |
January 27 |
February 16 |
Week of March 8 |
Mid-March |
Spring Cycle B
(smaller cycle) |
April 1 |
April 18 |
Week of May 10 |
Mid-May |
This will take the place of Dean’s Office funding moving forward. Please keep in mind that UMD budgets were reduced from 2024-2025 to 2025-2026 due to state budget restraints. Requests beyond $10,000 will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Student Org Eligibility
- Recognized as a current MESO Member or STEM Affiliate
- Has a Worktag (internal UMD finance account): You will need this number to apply
- At least 1 of your org advisors is within Maryland Engineering
Other Engineering Funding
MESO Fundraising Tips
- Slides showing fundraising options, online platforms, tangible strategies for requesting donations, and contacts
- Recording of fundraising training tied to the slides above (33 minutes)
MESO Members and STEM Affiliates
Orgs recognized by MESO will have access to extensive resources for pursuing corporate sponsorships, Giving Day, general fundraising tips, and cross-campus funding opportunities.
Across Campus
- SGA Funding (Student Government Association): MESO Members and STEM Affiliates are strongly encouraged to apply for SGA funds. It is an expectation from the Clark School that orgs are taking advantage of various existing funding resources and this is factored in when reviewing future MESO grant applications. Learn about the most up to date SGA funding policies and procedures for SORC registered organizations. There are six budget deadlines throughout the academic year. While exact dates change each year, they are typically early September, early October and late October for the Fall semester, and early February, late February and late March for the Spring semester.
- UMD Launch Page: A crowdfunding platform for specific campaigns to help MD community members launch big ideas to change the world.
- Pepsi Enhancement Fund: Apply from mid-September through mid October each year.
- Self Generated Revenue: Miscellaneous fundraising opportunities supported by UMD.
Kelly McNulty (she, her)
Program Manager for Experiential Learning
meso@umd.edu
(301) 405-3213
Marci Falck-Bados (she, her, ella)
Coordinator
meso@umd.edu
(301) 405-2007
Meet with Our MESO Team: We're here to provide coaching, feedback, and to connect you with resources to make your goals happen! Schedule a meeting using the links below for on Zoom or in person.
- Marci (Coaching days: M/W/TR)
- Kelly (Coaching days: T/F)
A. James Clark School of Engineering
1131 GG Glenn L. Martin Hall Bldg. #088
4298 Campus Drive
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742-3011
