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Bridges to the Doctorate at Towson University

Award Number: T32GM146694
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2027

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Bridges to the Doctorate at Towson University - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT African-American/Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic are among the fastest growing populations in the US but make up only a small percentage of the biomedical research workforce. This disconnect is particularly acute in science and engineering graduate programs where students from underrepresented (UR) groups accounted for just 13.5% of doctoral degrees awarded in 2018. Furthermore, significantly more students from UR groups complete a master’s degree (MS) en route to their doctorate than their non-UR counterparts, identifying MS programs as an important pool from which to recruit PhD candidates from diverse backgrounds. Consistent with these national trends, self-assessments at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (JHUSOM) revealed that just 13% and 17% of doctoral degrees awarded over the past five years were to students from UR groups. In just five years, the Bridges to the Doctorate Program (B2D) program has had a significant impact on the diversity of the MS program in Biological Sciences at Towson University (TU), increasing the representation of students from UR groups from 11% in 2015 to 42% in 2020, mirroring the local demographics (45.3%). 100% of our B2D trainees have graduated with an MS degree. Of the trainees who have graduated, 67% have applied to PhD programs and 83% of those who applied, were offered admission to top doctoral programs including those at UMSOM and JHUSOM. These data highlight the need for programs like B2D that support students from UR groups as they prepare to apply to doctoral programs and succeed in transitioning from MS to PhD programs to complete their doctorate. The TU- UMSOM-JHUSOM B2D will integrate the TU MS program and research resources at the UMSOM and JHUSOM in an innovative curriculum of training and mentoring to meet the following four objectives. 1: To provide trainees with a strong knowledge base in cell and molecular biology, develop analytical thinking, and cultivate science self-efficacy. 2: To train students to independently design and conduct experiments with rigor and to effectively analyze results. 3: To provide trainees with the tools needed to successfully apply to doctoral programs and ultimately earn a PhD. 4: To foster an inclusive, supportive community that promotes student success by providing opportunities for career exploration and peer/professional mentoring. The proximity of TU, UMSOM, and JHUSOM campuses facilitate the collaborative implementation of joint training activities. B2D scholars will be actively recruited from local and national minority-focused training programs and undergraduate institutions through e-marketing, social media, and in-person approaches. The professional development of B2D trainees as they progress from MS to PhD programs and beyond will be tracked as an important metric of program success. All aspects of the B2D will be critically evaluated by systematic program assessment. B2D training will thus enhance diversity in the biomedical workforce.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $395,176 )
2025	2025	TOWSON UNIVERSITY	8000 YORK RD	TOWSON	MD	21252	BALTIMORE	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	4	7/21/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$395,176
														Subtotal = $395,176

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $408,303 )
2024	2024	TOWSON UNIVERSITY	8000 YORK RD	TOWSON	MD	21252	BALTIMORE	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	3	8/5/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$408,303
														Subtotal = $408,303

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $394,972 )
2023	2023	TOWSON UNIVERSITY	8000 YORK RD	TOWSON	MD	21252	BALTIMORE	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	2	7/14/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$394,972
														Subtotal = $394,972

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $388,129 )
2022	2022	TOWSON UNIVERSITY	8000 YORK RD	BALTIMORE	MD	21252	BALTIMORE	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	1	7/19/2022	NEW	$388,129
														Subtotal = $388,129

Grand Total All Awards = $1,586,580

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Bridges to the Doctorate at Towson University

Award Number: T32GM146694

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2027

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