Saturday, May 10, 2025
5/10/2025
UIC Portal to Biomedical Research Careers PREP (UIC PBRC-PREP) - PROJECT SUMMARY In alignment with the national interest in increasing diversity in the biomedical science workforce, and the mission of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) to provide opportunity to the broadest possible student population, we are submitting this first renewal proposal to fund the UIC Portal to Biomedical Research Careers PREP (PBRC-PREP). In the proposed funding period, PBRC-PREP will support the aspirations of 30 (6 per cohort) recent baccalaureates who are from populations underrepresented in the biomedical sciences and who are highly motivated to obtain a PhD or dual degree (MD/PhD, PharmD/PhD) and enter a research career, but who lack adequate research experience and scientific maturity to gain entry into top PhD programs. The PBRC-PREP will continue to provide an intensive research experience and activities aimed at scholars improving their critical thinking and written and oral communication skills, and to develop in the scholars a sense of belonging within the scientific community. Three tangible outcomes envisioned for PBRC-PREP Scholars are that they (1) become proficient in research, critical thinking, writing and communication skills, (2) develop competitive applications for top PhD or dual degree programs, and (3) that they build a foundation that supports their success in such programs and on into a biomedical research career. In the previous funded period 79% of PBRC-PREP Scholars entered PhD, MD/PhD or PharmD/PhD programs. In the proposed project, we will build on this success and strengthen our program based on scholar and mentor feedback and external evaluation. PBRC-PREP Scholars will be recruited nationally and through an enhanced effort to recruit from the highly diverse undergraduate populations at UIC and Illinois State University. The PBRC-PREP begins with a Summer Boot Camp that integrates the research mentor selection process with skills development in critical thinking and oral and written communication, the creation of Individual Development Plans, training in rigor & reproducibility and research ethics, community building and cultural awareness experiences. Scholars will spend 75% of the PREP year in their chosen research lab. In the Fall semester, scholars will prepare for attendance to and presentation at the ABRCMS meeting and will also prepare applications for their selected graduate programs. In the Spring semester, scholars will attend the Developing Critical Thinking Skills course, a course developed specifically for PBRC-PREP Scholars that allows them to practice their critical scientific thinking and presentation skills while exposing them to a variety of biomedical research areas and approaches to investigating important scientific questions. PBRC-PREP Scholars will also participate in career development activities and learn about the variety of career paths open to biomedical researchers. We anticipate that this rigorous program will continue to enable UIC PBRC-PREP Scholars to compete for entry into and succeed in top PhD and dual degree programs nationwide.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).