COMAR 24.05.22.02. Designated Fields of Scientific and Technical Fields of Study; Expenditure of Endowment Proceeds

A. The Authority designates the following scientific and technical fields of study as eligible for the expenditure of endowment proceeds under the Program:

(1) Physical sciences;

(2) Life and neuro sciences;

(3) Engineering;

(4) Mathematical and computational sciences;

(5) Regulatory science;

(6) Autonomous systems;

(7) Aeronautical and space science;

(8) Environmental sciences;

(9) Behavioral and language science;

(10) Health sciences;

(11) Agriculture;

(12) Cybersecurity;

(13) Emerging fields in science and technology;

(14) Entrepreneurial sciences; and

(15) Social sciences.

B. At least 90 days prior to the first submission date, the Authority may announce that certain scientific and technical fields of study will be awarded greater weight in the Authority's evaluation of the applications in the upcoming fiscal year if the Authority has determined that certain scientific and technical fields will enhance the economic competitiveness of the State or build on existing clusters of research and innovation. If no announcement is made, the scientific and technical fields of study shall be weighted equally. An announcement of the greater weight assigned to certain scientific and technical fields of study shall remain in effect until the Authority announces revised weightings.

C. Endowment proceeds may be expended by a nonprofit institution of higher education for:

(1) The payment of base salaries of newly endowed department chairs, new professorship positions, new research scientists, or new research staff positions, including research technicians and support personnel, and to fund affiliated graduate or undergraduate student research fellowships, if the positions or fellowships are engaged in the areas of research identified in §A of this regulation ; or

(2) The purchase of basic infrastructure, including, but not limited to, laboratory and scientific equipment or other essential equipment and materials, related to an area of research identified in §A of this regulation .