The aim of this fellowship is for the applicant – Dr. Harutyun Shahumyan – to move from University College Dublin (UCD) in Ireland to University of Maryland (UMD) in US for two years and then return and build on his research at UCD for another year, for the purposes of enhancing his training in integrated modelling supporting smart and sustainable growth; and to provide complementary skills training that will assist the applicant in his career path in academia. The research training will be achieved through a project dedicated to emerging techniques centred on the development of Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSS) and application of state of the art geospatial analytical tools, which are uniquely available within the scientific resource bases of the host institutions. This project will be delivered through practical application of different integrated modelling approaches in two study regions (1) Chesapeake Bay Watershed (CBW) in US during outgoing phase and (2) Greater Dublin Region (GDR) in Ireland during return phase. Strengths and weaknesses of each approach will be explored thoroughly; and the ways of complimenting each other will be suggested taking into consideration policy makers’ needs.The applicant has a remarkable academic track record with an Honour MS degree in Applied Mathematics, a PhD in Engineering followed by 8 years of Post-Doctoral research in statistical and spatial modelling. The applicant has co-authored 15 journal articles, 2 book chapters, 7 conference papers, 4 working papers and 5 research reports and has given poster and oral presentations at 17 international conferences.The outgoing host the National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education at UMD is one of the most prominent interdisciplinary centres of smart growth analysis and modelling with extensive practise in applications supporting policy makers. It has an excellent track record of training experienced researchers and engaging them with scientists & decision makers.