WINS: Winning Institutional Nomination System

National Institutes of Health

NIH: NIGMS’ Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) [R25]

Program Summary

This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) provides updated guidelines for the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP). The PREP will support the research training and education of recent baccalaureate graduates from groups underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral research areas, who plan to pursue Ph.D. degrees. This research apprenticeship serves as an educational transition for recent baccalaureate graduates who will acquire essential academic credentials and research skills to make them more competitive for Ph.D. programs at highly selective institutions.

The goal of the PREP is to encourage individuals from underrepresented groups who have recently obtained their baccalaureate degrees to complete for Ph.D. degree programs in biomedically relevant sciences through extensive academic enhancements and research experience. Through this program, it is anticipated that a steady supply of Ph.D. candidates from underrepresented groups will be established. It is also the expectation and hope that some of the PREP participants will eventually become the scientists who conduct research in areas that address reducing health disparities.

Eligibility and Sponsor Stipulations

An eligible institution may apply for and hold only one PREP award.

Sponsoring Institution: The sponsoring institution must assure support for the proposed research education project. Appropriate institutional commitment to the project includes the provision of adequate staff, facilities, and educational resources that can contribute to the planned research education project. The applicant institution must be a research institution that has a significant number of faculty mentors with NIH or other extramural research support in the biomedical and behavioral science fields. It must be an institution with strong Ph.D. programs and demonstrated experience of training Ph.D. candidates.

Supporting information about the institution’s research program, training experience, and funding of the faculty mentors must be provided at the time of application.

Participants:  The applicant institution will select the PREP participants and it is the responsibility of the institution to establish the qualifications of the students before they are allowed to participate in the program. Eligible individuals are those who are considered underrepresented in the fields of biomedical or behavioral research and have graduated with a baccalaureate degree in a biomedically relevant science, from an accredited U.S. college or university, no more than 36 months prior to applying to a PREP, and are not currently enrolled in a degree program. Such candidates include individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds (socially, culturally, economically, or educationally; for additional information see Section IV.6. Other Submission Requirements section on “Diversity Recruitment and Retention Plan”) in the sponsor guidelines.     

Institutions are required to develop selection plans and criteria to identify eligible students who are interested in pursuing a career in biomedical or behavioral research. All individuals selected as participants must intend to apply for a Ph.D. program in the biomedical or behavioral sciences, immediately following completion of apprenticeship.

Applicants are required to include a plan for Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research (see Section IV.6) in the sponsor guidelines.

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