Maryland Supports Research Professorships at Three Higher Education Institutions
BALTIMORE, MD (February 18, 2026) – The Maryland Department of Commerce today joined Bowie State University, Morgan State University, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore in endowing $5.8 million to fund new research professorships. The endowment was made through the Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative Fund (MEIF), a state program created to spur basic and applied research in scientific and technical fields at colleges and universities. The universities raised $3.5 million in private funding for the positions, and Maryland Commerce approved matching grants of $2.3 million to support the endowment.
“To drive sustained economic growth in the coming years, Maryland must invest in the technologies and discoveries of the future,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Harry Coker, Jr. “Providing these E-Nnovation awards to Maryland universities supports the research, discovery, and commercialization efforts that will drive business and economic growth for the future.”
Bowie State University received $500,000 from Commerce to continue support for an endowed chair of Cybersecurity and director of the Center of Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies; the award was matched by $500,000 in qualified funding from the university. The chair and director will build and strengthen Bowie State’s renowned ecosystem to attract more cyber and deep technology innovators at the university as well as a growing pipeline of students preparing for leadership roles in the cybersecurity industry.
Morgan State University received an award of $767,004 from Commerce, matched by another $1,000,000 in qualified funds from the university to support the Google Endowed Chair of Computer Science in Artificial Intelligence, a position that will strengthen the university’s capacity to conduct high-impact AI research, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, attract top-tier faculty and students, and align with the university’s vision to become a leading hub for inclusive innovation and digital equity in the greater Baltimore area.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore received $1,000,000 from Commerce, matched by $2,000,000 in qualified funding from the university, to establish the Edward and Jennifer St. John Endowed Professorship in Translational Biomedical Engineering and Innovation at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. The position will allow the medical school to attract a scientific leader who will catalyze technology transfer, clinical translation, and commercialization, strengthening Maryland’s position as a hub for biomedical innovation and economic growth.
The Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative Fund was created by the General Assembly during the 2014 legislative session and has provided more than $100.3 million in funding to leverage more than $111.5 million in private donations. The funding can be used to pay salaries of newly endowed department chairs, staff, and support personnel in designated scientific and technical fields of study; fund related research fellowships for graduate and undergraduate students; and purchase lab equipment and other basic infrastructure and equipment.
About Maryland Commerce
The Maryland Department of Commerce stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State’s many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit commerce.maryland.gov.
