Engineering Initiatives

We invested over $591 million to educate future problem-solvers.

Amount Invested

$591M

Students Supported Annually

875

Total Scholarships

$297M

Overview

A. James Clark never forgot that his professional success began with an engineering scholarship. As his company grew, so did his commitment to investing in the next generation of engineering leaders.

The Clark Foundation carried on Mr. Clark’s legacy of supporting engineering students. From expanding access for students who may not otherwise be able to afford a world-class engineering degree to investing in improving facilities and recruiting the best faculty, we focused on preparing future engineers to solve society’s toughest problems.

The A. James Clark Scholars Program

In 2017, the Clark Foundation established the A. James Clark Scholars Program to support undergraduate engineering students. The Clark Scholars Program has been implemented at 11 of the nation’s top institutions, supporting students with strong academic and leadership potential.

In 2023, the Clark Scholars Program Network was established at the University of Maryland to support current and future Clark Scholars in perpetuity. The Network will continue to forge a close-knit community of learning among program leaders within their universities, Clark Scholars Programs, students, and alumni.

View Case Study

$332,000,000

Invested in universities

475+

Scholars served each year in perpetuity

804

Scholars supported to date

430

Clark Scholars Program alumni

90%

Six-year graduation rate

I am incredibly thankful to the Clark Scholars Program for supporting my research interests, enhancing my academic experiences, and kick starting my career beyond my undergraduate degree.

Alexa Soroka
Stevens Institute of Technology

[The Clark Scholars Program] has been the one community that has stayed a strong support through all the craziness college has been for me.

Robi Abera
Vanderbilt University

As a first generation college student I felt I really needed that extra guidance and I cannot imagine where I would be without the support of this program.

Clark Scholar
Georgia Tech

Universities in the Clark Scholars Program Network

Building Together: An Investment for Maryland

University of Maryland students give a tour of the E.A. Fernandez IDEA lab while Clark Foundation team looks on.

Credit: University of Maryland A. James Clark School of Engineering/E.A. Fernandez IDEA (Innovate, Design and Engineer for America) Factory

The Clark Foundation’s $219.5 million investment was the largest in University of Maryland history and ranks among the largest to a public research institution in the 21st century.

This transformative investment has propelled UMD and the A. James Clark School of Engineering to the forefront of education and research by funding an array of scholarships, fellowships, professorships, and operational and capital projects.

The University of Maryland

$269,000,000

Invested in the University of Maryland

725

UMD undergraduate and graduate students supported as of 2025

430

UMD students receiving scholarships each year

$90,000,000

Invested in state-of-the-art facilities to support cutting-edge research

Clark Scholars supported each year at UMD

Clark Opportunity Transfer Scholars supported each year at UMD

140

Clark Doctoral Fellows supported each year at UMD

200

Maryland Promise Scholars supported each year

Engineering Pathways

Two students draft ideas on a white board.

Our investments broadened access to high-quality engineering education by supporting community colleges, hiring expert faculty, providing scholarships, and facilitating collaboration among engineering programs. Our partners expanded options for first-generation students and students with financial need.