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Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) Program

The Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) program provides funding, with a sliding-scale match from participating companies, for research projects at Maryland's public universities that help those companies develop new products.

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The MIPS Program provides funding, with a sliding-scale match from participating companies, for research projects at Maryland's public universities that help those companies develop new or improved products. The project goals are defined by the companies.

MIPS projects are not basic research, but rather are translational work that leads toward commercial products. These are products of any Maryland company willing to create jobs, including but not limited to products based on university intellectual property. MIPS staff can help companies find appropriate faculty researchers.

The protocols for HughesNet, the world's leading internet-via-satellite service, we developed by Hughes Network Systems and UMD's John Baras through MIPS.
Pictured: A HughesNet satellite dish similar to those installed for consumers.

The protocols that made internet-via-satellite possible were developed by Hughes Network Systems and John Baras, Lockheed Martin Chair in Systems Engineering and Distinguished University Professor (ECE/ISR/CS), through the Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) Program.

Hughes has shipped more than 7 million [satellite Internet] terminals of all types to customers in over 100 countries, representing approximately 50 percent market share, and its technology is powering broadband services to aircraft around the world.

More than 30 papers were published as a result of the MIPS work with Hughes, according to Baras. 

MIPS helped develop not just a new product, but a new industry. Over time, we’ve probably generated within the State of Maryland, a large share of our revenue. Several billion of that can be directly credited to the work done through MIPS. We employ 1,500 people here in the state. Many of them are working on businesses related to this technology.

The protocols for Hughes' internet-via-satellite service was developed jointly with UMD's John Baras through the MIPS program.
John Kenyon, former Senior Vice President for Engineering, Hughes Network Systems
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MedImmune
MedImmune
MedImmune, now part of AstraZeneca, characterized and researched the quality control of Synagis, a drug that helps prevent a deadly respiratory disease in infants, through MIPS.
Infant formula
Market Biosciences
Through MIPS, Martek Biosciences developed manufacturing processes to produce its algae-derived DHA oil, which is included in many infant formulas.
Welldoc
Welldoc
Welldoc's mobile diabetes management platform was tested through MIPS.

Benefits to Maryland Companies

  • Cost-effective research with world-class university faculty
  • Access to university students, state-of-the-art facilities, laboratories and equipment
  • Companies can select research capabilities to meet specific requirements
  • Non-dilutive, non-debt funding for research
  • Opportunity to work directly with talented students—potential future hires
  • Rapid proposal evaluations—MIPS notifies award winners within 60 days of the proposal deadline
  • Student participants are potential future employees
  • Makes companies more competitive, domestically and internationally​​​​​​​

Benefits to Faculty

  • Research translates directly to new product development
  • Potential for published papers and improved university facilities
  • Students gain valuable experience working on commercial technologies

There is a vast amount of noise in the crowded mHealth space and this is especially true for digital solutions focused on chronic disease management. These MIPS randomized, controlled clinical trials were not only groundbreaking but also critical to our ability to differentiate and continue to grow as a company. The results unequivocally prove that our highly tailored solution can improve the effectiveness of a patient’s selfcare and can truly transform lives.

Kevin McRaith, President and Chief Executive Officer, WellDoc

Use Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) Program to…

  • Collaborate/sponsor research projects

    Through MIPS, Maryland companies have the opportunity to leverage their research and development funds and gain access to the creative talents and extensive research base of the University System of Maryland.  MIPS matching funds are awarded on a competitive basis for projects based on proposals submitted jointly by Maryland companies and researchers from any of the 13 University System institutions.

  • Identify/apply for funding & grants

    MIPS provides funding, matching by participating companies, for university-based research projects that help the companies develop new products. The maximum MIPS award for any single project is $100,000 per year for large and small companies and $90,000 for start-up firms.

Contact Information

4467 Technology Drive, Suite 3119
Herbert Rabin Technology Advancement
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742