Answers to College Student Questions:
Answers to Faculty/Staff Questions:
Answers to College Student Questions:
Q. I am a college student, how can I participate in the MARC U-STAR program?
A. To be eligible for support through a MARC Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (U-STAR) award, you must be an honors student with at least junior level status at a college or university that has a MARC U-STAR grant. MARC U-STAR institutions are responsible for selecting the students to be supported, so students apply directly through their institution.
Q. What minority groups are underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral research?
A. For institutional awards such as MARC U-STAR, underrepresented minority students are individuals belonging to a particular ethnic or racial group that has been determined by the grantee institution to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research. Nationally, individuals who have been found to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research include, but are not limited to, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans/Alaska Natives and natives of the U.S. Pacific Islands.
Q. Must I be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to be eligible for a MARC U-STAR award?
A. Yes. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to be eligible for a MARC U-STAR award. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible.
Q. Is foreign travel (for meetings, summer research training, etc.) for MARC U-STAR trainees allowable?
A. No. Trainee travel is limited to domestic institutions (U.S. States, Positions and Territories) only.
Q. What other programs does NIGMS offer to increase the number of underrepresented minority biomedical scientists?
A. Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research allow principal investigators holding NIGMS research grants to request supplemental funds to support minority scientists and students as well as individuals with disabilities. The aim of these supplements is to attract and encourage minority individuals to pursue biomedical research careers. Supplements are available for high school and undergraduate students, graduate research assistants, postdoctoral scientists and minority investigators. For information on how to apply for Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research, call Dr. Marion Zatz at 301-594-3833.
The Bridges to the Baccalaureate Degree initiative is aimed at helping students make the transition from 2-year junior or community colleges to full 4-year baccalaureate programs. The program targets students from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral research enterprise of the nation and/or populations disproportionately affected by health disparities. It promotes partnerships between 2-year colleges and institutions that award the baccalaureate degree in areas of science relevant to biomedical and behavioral research.
The Bridges to the Doctorate Program initiative is aimed at helping students make the transition from master's degree programs to Ph.D. programs. The program targets students from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral research enterprise of the nation and/or populations disproportionately affected by health disparities. It promotes partnerships between institutions that award the M.S. degree as the terminal degree and universities that award the Ph.D. degree.
The Initiative for Maximizing Student Development seeks to increase the number of students from underrepresented groups in biomedical and behavioral research who complete Ph.D. degrees in these fields. The program offers an opportunity to develop new or expand existing effective academic developmental programs, including student research internships, in order to prepare students from underrepresented groups for competitive research careers and leadership positions in the biomedical or behavioral sciences. Awards are made to domestic, private and public, educational institutions that are involved in biomedical research and training. The institutions select the students to be supported.
The Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement seeks to increase the number of students from groups underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral research who complete Ph.D. degree programs in these fields. The program supports institutional grants with well integrated developmental activities that may include, but are not limited to, research experiences at on- or off-campus laboratories, specialty courses with a focus on critical thinking and development of research skills, collaborative learning experiences, research careers seminars, scientific reading comprehension and writing skills, tutoring for excellence and travel to scientific meetings. Support is also available for evaluation activities.
The Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program seeks to encourage underrepresented minorities who hold a recent baccalaureate degree in a biomedically relevant science to pursue a research doctorate. PREP participants work as apprentice scientists in a preceptor's laboratory and participate in student development and education activities. This program is expected to strengthen the research skills and academic competitiveness of participants for pursuit of a graduate degree while also stimulating them to have an interest in addressing the health problems that disproportionately affect minorities and the medically underserved in the United States.
For information about other NIGMS programs aimed at creating a diverse biomedical workforce, visit the TWD Division Web site.
Answers to Faculty/Staff Questions:
Q. I am a faculty member, how can my institution apply for a MARC U-STAR grant?
A. Eligible faculty from colleges and/or universities that have a significant underrepresented minority student population may be eligible for the MARC U-STAR program. For eligibility and other pertinent details, including how to submit an application, read the latest MARC U-STAR Program Announcement, available at http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Training/MARC/USTARAwards.htm.
Q. I am planning to submit an application for the MARC U-STAR program, are there other materials I can use besides the Funding Opportunity Announcement for guidance?
A. Yes, the TWD Division Web site contains a PowerPoint presentation from a MARC U-STAR Technical Assistance Workshop.
Q. I am the MARC program director at my institution. When is the annual progress report due?
A. All MARC U-STAR programs begin on June 1 and the progress reports are due on November 1, annually. This means that the reporting period for the first award year is truncated, while the remaining years are not, such that:
Year 1: June 1 – Oct. 31
Year 2 – Year 5: Nov. 1 – Oct. 31
Q. I am the MARC program director at my institution. In completing the annual progress report, do I need to include Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training for MARC-USTAR students?
A. Yes, reporting on RCR training is a required element on MARC progress reports. Details about this training can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/training/responsibleconduct.htm. A concise description of RCR training should be done and be no longer than 1 page in length.
For more information on Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Programs, contact:
Shawn Drew Gaillard, Program Director
Adolphus Toliver, Program Director
Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
National Institutes of Health
45 Center Drive MSC 6200, Room 2AS.43
Bethesda, MD 20892-6200
Telephone: 301-594-3900
E-mail: drewl@mail.nih.gov or tolivera@nigms.nih.gov