This page brings together guidance on using artificial intelligence (AI) in research at the University of Maryland (UMD): policies, guidelines, standards, and guidance from UMD and the University System of Maryland (USM); funding agency requirements; and federal and state laws and regulations. Each entry links to the office that issued it.
How to use this page: the red-outlined buttons at the top jump to each section and stay at the top of the screen as you scroll; the section you are viewing is highlighted. Start with Common questions for short answers, each with a status and its source, or use Search to find questions by topic, tool, or sponsor, with the office that sets each rule. Resources links to the Provost guidelines, DIT AI tools, training, and computing; Policies & guidance lists UMD & USM policies, guidelines, standards & guidance; Funders covers agency rules for applicants, reviewers, and funded research; Laws covers federal and Maryland laws and executive actions; Publishing covers disclosure, citation, publisher rules, and copyright; the Checklist lists steps to take before you use AI in a project; and Contacts lists who to ask. Each section ends with a "Back to top" link.
Common questions
Brief answers to frequent questions, with the official source for each. Each answer and its sources are checked on the 1st and 15th of every month, including whether a source has been rescinded, replaced, or changed. An answer marked Under review reflects a recent change to its source and is being updated; refer to the source in the meantime.
Search guidance
Search by topic, tool, or sponsor, or browse questions by category. For each question, Guidance set by names the office or agency whose policy or guidance applies, and Official sources links to that guidance. Search results also include resources and contacts from across this page.
Searches that return no results are recorded anonymously to help improve this page. Do not enter personal or confidential information.
UMD AI resources
Start with the Office of the Provost's Guidelines for Use of Generative AI Tools and the Division of IT's AI Services catalog. The links below go straight to the relevant section of each. Other resources come from AI@UMD and the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM).
Provost guidelines, by section
- Guiding principlesSection III: human oversight, access, privacy, transparency, accountability.
- Acceptable uses: Research and scholarshipSection IV.2: research integrity, data, meeting recorders, intellectual property.
- Acceptable uses: Teaching and learningSection IV.1: for instructors, teaching assistants, and students.
- Acceptable uses: Administrative workSection IV.3: for research administrators and staff.
- What data goes whereData classification levels, with examples.
- Procuring AI tools, including free toolsSection VI: contact DIT before using UMD credentials with a new tool.
- Frequently asked questionsIncludes questions for researchers.
- Selected resourcesSection VII: research, IT support, and related policies.
DIT AI Services catalog, by section
- Find your toolThree questions that point to a service and its approved data level.
- Compare toolsApproved data classification level for each service.
- Can I use a tool that isn't listed?Using new tools and connecting apps.
- Software Risk Management reviewWhen a review is required and how it works.
- Contact DIT AI ServicesAI Services, Software Risk Management, and IT Support.
Data standards & UMD tools
- IT-2 Data Classification standardDefinitions of UMD's four data classification levels.
- UMD Data Classification StandardFull text of the standard behind IT-2.
- TerpAIUMD's AI assistant for faculty, staff, and students. UMD login required.
- ChatGPT Edu licensingLicensing and billing for ChatGPT Edu.
- AI for CodingGuidance on AI coding assistants and vendor research programs.
- For Faculty, Staff & StudentsAI resources for the UMD community.
- DoR AI InitiativesDivision of Research AI priorities and projects.
Training, libraries, AIM
- AI TrainingAI courses from TLTC and UMD Libraries, listed by DIT.
- Prompt LibrarySample prompts for research, teaching, and administrative work.
- Google AI EssentialsNo-cost certificate program offered through AIM and USM.
- Libraries: AI and Scholarly CommunicationsCopyright, licensing, and fair use of published works.
- Libraries: AI Tools for ResearchOverview of AI tools for literature searching and writing.
- Libraries: How to cite AICitation formats for AI-generated content.
- AI research communities at UMDUMD centers and labs conducting AI research.
- AIM eventsSeminars, symposia, and the AIM mailing list.
- UMD AI experts directoryDirectory of UMD faculty working in AI.
Funding & computing
- AIM Research Seed AwardsInternal seed funding for AI research. The 2026 cycle has closed; 2027 cycle TBA.
- Zaratan HPCThe university's high-performance computing cluster, including GPU resources.
- UMIACS NexusGPU cluster for UMIACS-sponsored accounts.
- DIT IT for ResearchersCloud credits, data storage, and consultations.
- Research CybersecurityResearch security for restricted data (NIST 800-171), including the CUIE environment.
- NAIRR Pilot allocationsNational AI research computing resources, led by NSF.
- Office of Research AdministrationProposal support and limited submissions.
UMD & USM policies, guidelines, standards & guidance
UMD & USM policies, guidelines, standards, and office guidance on data, information technology, research integrity, human subjects research, and intellectual property apply to the use of AI tools. The table lists each one with the office that issued it, grouped by type. Rows marked UMD come from UMD or one of its units or offices; rows marked USM come from the USM and the Board of Regents, and apply to all USM institutions.
| Policy, guideline, standard, or guidance | Issuer | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| UMD Policies | ||
| X-1.00(A) Acceptable Use of IT | UMD | Use of university IT and data |
| X-15.00(A) Privacy Policy | UMD | Personal information |
| III-1.10(A) Integrity and Responsible Conduct in Scholarly Work | UMD | Research misconduct: fabrication, falsification, plagiarism |
| IV-3.20(A) Intellectual Property | UMD | Ownership of inventions and works |
| II-3.10(A) Conflict of Interest | UMD | Outside relationships, including with AI vendors |
| UMD Guidelines | ||
| Guidelines for Use of Generative AI Tools | Office of the Provost | Teaching, research, and administrative use of AI |
| UMD Standards | ||
| IT-2 Data Classification | Division of IT | Data levels |
| UMD Data Classification Standard | Division of IT | Full standard for classifying and protecting data |
| UMD IT Standards | Division of IT | Security of sensitive information and IT resources |
| UMD Guidance & resources | ||
| Software Risk Management | Division of IT | Review of new software and AI tools |
| IRB Guidance: Generative AI IRB home | Human Research Protection Program | AI in human subjects research |
| Integrity and Responsible Conduct in Research (IRC-R) | Office of Integrity & Responsible Conduct (OIRC) | Research integrity training, courses, and resources, including NIH, NSF, and USDA-NIFA training requirements |
| AI in Teaching | TLTC | Instructional use of AI |
| President's Commission on AI (final report) | Office of the President | Campus AI strategy and recommendations |
| USM Policies | ||
| Board of Regents Policy X-1.0 | USM Board of Regents | Information technology policy for USM institutions |
| USM Standards | ||
| USM IT Security Standards | USM | System-wide data protection requirements that apply to any service holding USM data |
| USM Guidance & resources | ||
| Kirwan Center: Generative AI Pedagogy | USM Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation | Teaching resources on generative AI for USM institutions |
Funding agency guidance
Agency notices and policies on AI in applications, peer review, and funded research. Where no agency-wide policy is listed, consult the solicitation or award terms and the program officer. Notices listed here are checked twice a month; a notice that has been rescinded or replaced is marked Rescinded with a link to its replacement. Under Executive Order 14434, “Inaugurating the Era of Super Intelligence” (September 29, 2026), federal agencies may now say “Super Intelligence” or “SI” instead of “AI,” so search agency sites for both terms.
| Agency | Applicants | Peer reviewers | Funded research & data |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIH | NOT-OD-25-132 Nexus: Apply Responsibly |
NOT-OD-23-149 | NOT-OD-25-081 (controlled-access data and AI) NOT-OD-24-157 (genomic data management and security) Nexus: Research integrity and AI |
| NSF | NSF notice on generative AI PAPPG and supplements |
NSF notice on generative AI | PAPPG Supplement 1 (NSF 26-200) NSF Super Intelligence (AI) funding |
| NASA | SMD SARA FAQ ROSES-2025 ROSES-2025 Amendment 74 (generative AI use; NSPIRES AI question) |
Check the solicitation | SARA library and useful links |
| NEH | NEH AI policy | NEH AI policy | None listed |
| DOE | Check the funding opportunity | Check the funding opportunity | DOE P 203.1 Genesis Mission |
| DoD | Check the BAA | Check the BAA | DFARS 252.204-7012 (CUI); 41 U.S.C. 4713 (DoD supply chain exclusions, including the exclusion of Anthropic products; see Common questions); FAR 52.204-30 (government-wide FASCSA orders posted on SAM.gov) |
| HHS / ORI | Applies to all PHS-funded research (NIH, AHRQ, CDC, and others) | ORI guidance on generative AI HHS AI Strategy | |
| USDA NIFA | No NIFA-wide policy; check the request for applications | Prohibited: NIFA Peer Review Process (2026) | Check the award terms |
| NOAA | Allowed; applicants are responsible for accuracy and authenticity: NOAA guidance for funding applicants | Do not use AI to write a review or upload proposals: NOAA Science Council: Managing emerging risks | Use approved, secure environments for sensitive data: NOAA Science Council: Managing emerging risks |
| IES | Allowed; applicants certify the application is true, complete, and accurate, regardless of AI use: FY 2027 requests for applications, Part III.A (example: 84.305S) | No IES-specific policy; follow the reviewer instructions | Check the award terms |
| NEA | No AI policy in the FY 2027 Grants for Arts Projects guidelines | None stated in the grant review process | Check the award terms |
| All sponsors | Read the specific solicitation and award terms on Grants.gov, and ask the program officer. This applies to every agency above and to private foundations. | ||
Federal & state law
Federal
- ORI Guidance on Generative AI (42 CFR 93)Research misconduct and AI in PHS-funded work.
- America's AI Action PlanFederal AI priorities, including research infrastructure.
- EO 14179Current federal AI policy direction.
- EO 14363: Genesis MissionFederal AI-for-science initiative.
- EO 14365: Ensuring a National Policy Framework for AIFederal approach to state AI laws.
- OMB M-25-21 M-25-22Federal agency AI use and acquisition; relevant to contracts that deliver AI.
- U.S. Copyright Office: Copyright and AIReports on copyrightability and AI training.
- Bureau of Industry and SecurityExport controls, including AI-related rules.
- NIST AI Risk Management FrameworkVoluntary framework often cited in solicitations.
- White House presidential actionsCurrent and recent executive orders.
Maryland
- AI Governance Act (SB 818, 2024)State AI governance, with a section on public universities' research and academic use.
- Maryland AI Partnership (SB 597, 2026)AI partnership within USM.
- Maryland Online Data Privacy ActConsumer data privacy law; may apply to some research data.
- Personal Information Protection ActData breach notification requirements.
- SB 8 (2026) SB 141 (2026)AI deepfakes: identity fraud and elections.
- Maryland Responsible AI PolicyFor state agencies and their contractors.
- Maryland AI Enablement StrategyState AI priorities.
- General Assembly AI bill indexMaryland AI legislation by session.
Publishing & copyright
UMD guidance on disclosing, citing, and owning AI-assisted work, and federal guidance on copyright. Journals set their own author requirements; check the journal's instructions before you submit.
UMD guidance
- Provost guidelines: Research and scholarshipSection IV.2: disclose AI use with attribution, and follow journal, funding agency, and professional society policies.
- Libraries: AI and Scholarly CommunicationsCopyright, licensing, and fair use of published works.
- Provost guidelines: Examples of how to cite GenAISection VII: citation style guides for generative AI.
- Libraries: How to cite AICitation formats for AI-generated content.
- Provost guidelines: Academic publishers' guidelines and policies on AI in researchSection VII: links to publisher policies on AI in manuscripts and peer review.
- Libraries: Publisher policies on AIWhat publisher AI policies typically cover, including authorship, disclosure, and permitted uses such as language editing and figures.
- Libraries: Disclosing AI useWays to disclose AI use in published work, such as the methods section or notes.
Ownership & copyright
- IV-3.20(A) Intellectual PropertyUMD policy on ownership of inventions and works.
- U.S. Copyright Office: Copyright and AIFederal guidance on copyrightability of AI-generated material.
Before you use AI in a project
- Classify the data. Determine the most sensitive data to be used, based on the guidelines' What data goes where, the IT-2 standard, and the UMD Data Classification Standard. This includes anything pasted, uploaded, or connected to an AI tool.
- Select an approved tool for that level. Use DIT's Find your tool and Compare tools. For a tool that isn't listed, see Procuring AI tools (guidelines Section VI).
- Review sponsor requirements. Check the solicitation, award terms, and data use agreements (see agency guidance), as well as subaward and collaborator agreements.
- Check publisher and journal requirements early. Publishers set their own rules on AI, including authorship, disclosure, and whether AI may be used for tasks such as language editing, searching and summarizing the literature, or creating figures (see UMD Libraries' Publisher Policies). Check the target journal's policy before you start, not only at submission: an AI use your sponsor allows may still need to be disclosed, or may be limited, by the publisher. The guidelines ask researchers to follow journal requirements (Research and scholarship) and link to major publishers' AI policies (Section VII).
- Consult the IRB when AI will be used with participants or their data, including for transcription and analysis. See the IRB guidance on generative AI and the IRB homepage.
- Set expectations with the research team. Co-investigators, students, and advisors should agree on which tools are used and for what purposes.
- Review and verify output as the guidelines' Research and scholarship section and guiding principles require.
- Keep records of the tool, version, date, and purpose of use.
- Disclose AI use as the sponsor, the publisher, and the guidelines require. Depending on the publisher, disclosure may go in the methods section, the text, or notes (see UMD Libraries' Disclosures).