What is this program about?

     MARC Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (U*STAR) Awards provide support for students who are members of minority groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical sciences to improve their preparation for graduate training in biomedical research. These minority groups include, but are not limited to, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans (including Alaska Natives), and natives of the U.S. Pacific Islands. The program can also support efforts to strengthen the faculty, science course curricula, and biomedical research training programs and infrastructure at institutions with significant enrollments of minority students.

     Awards are made to colleges and universities that offer the baccalaureate degree. Only one grant per eligible institution will be awarded. The institutions select the trainees to be supported. Trainees must be honors students majoring in the sciences who have an expressed interest in a biomedical research career and who intend to pursue postgraduate education leading to the Ph.D., M.D.-Ph.D., or other combined professional degree-Ph.D. The period of appointment to the MARC U*STAR Program is 2 years at the junior/senior level.

Description courtesy of the NIGMS