MESO

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

1. Review your org’s eligibility below. If your org is not first registered with SORC, you should register with them by April 30.

2. If eligible, orgs can complete the MESO New Recognition Form also by April 30. This form will become available in March.

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: 
  • Applications open March 9 and close March 24 at 11:59pm. 
  • This small, pilot grant program is launching now but we plan to expand in future semesters.
  • 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)
  • At least 1 of your org advisors is within Maryland Engineering
• Next Steps
  • Review more details about the process and timeline on the app site before applying. You will need your Worktag number.
  • Questions? 
    • March 11: Join our Coffee Drop In Hours on anytime from 11:00-12:45pm in Martin Hall 1131b. While it is Community Impact focused, MESO staff will be available to answer any grant questions too.
    • March 12: Drop in and out of our MESO Grants Q&A session anytime from 3-5pm on Zoom. 

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.

• Engineering Community Success Mini-Grants: This program is designed to support individuals and organizations in the Clark School who want to promote initiatives that strengthen the ability of all our constituents to excel and succeed in their engineering student groups, organizations, units, departments, and centers. Grants range from $250-$1500. Sign in with your UMD email to access next steps here.

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
Experientialengr@umd.edu
(301) 405-3213&

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A. James Clark School of Engineering
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University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742-3011