# UIC Portal to Biomedical Research Careers (UIC PBRC) PREP

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · 2021 · $330,308

## Abstract

ABSTRACT 
 
The  UIC  Portal  to  Biomedical  Research  Careers  (UIC  PBRC)  proposal  is  an  R25  grant 
application  to  develop  a  comprehensive  post-­baccalaureate  research  education  program 
(PREP)  in  the  biomedical  sciences  at  the  University  of  Illinois  at  Chicago.  UIC  is  noted  for  the 
diversity  of  its  student  body,  and  we  take  great  pride  in  giving  talented  and  highly  motivated 
students  from  the  broadest  possible  backgrounds  the  opportunity  for  achieving  success  and 
excellence at all levels of higher education. The UIC PBRC PREP will identify and recruit eight 
recent baccalaureate science degree recipients who are strongly motivated to pursue a PhD or 
MD/PhD  degree,  but  who  would  benefit  from  a  year  engaged  in  cutting-­edge  research  and 
building  their  critical  thinking  and  scientific  communication  skills  to  become  competitive 
applicants  to  top  PhD  and  MD/PhD  programs.  UIC  PBRC  Scholars  will  be  predominantly 
recruited  from  the  significant  pool  of  recent  underrepresented  baccalaureates  at  UIC  and  five 
partner  universities:  Chicago  State  University,  Florida  A  &  M  University,  Northeastern  Illinois 
University,  Oakwood  University,  and  Roosevelt  University.  UIC  PBRC  Scholars  will  participate 
in an intensive, mentored research experience with a UIC faculty member, and will be provided 
with  individually  designed  academic  programming  and  professional  development  activities. 
Unique aspects of this program will be scholar participation in a rigorous critical thinking course 
that  includes  scientific  writing  and  oral  communication  exercises  designed  to  enhance  their 
development  as  competitive  research  scientists  and  a  multi-­level  approach  for  mentoring, 
including  individualized  near-­peer  mentoring.  These  activities  combined  with  the  intensive 
research  experience  will  be  strong  preparation  enabling  UIC  PBRC  Scholars  to  enter  and 
succeed in top graduate programs nationwide. A broader impact of the UIC PBRC PREP will be 
achieved  through  expanded  interactions  with  our  partner  universities  to  exchange  and 
implement best practices for promoting the entry of underrepresented students into biomedical 
careers.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10079489
- **Project number:** 5R25GM121212-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** KAREN J. COLLEY
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $330,308
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-01-01 → 2022-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10079489

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10079489, UIC Portal to Biomedical Research Careers (UIC PBRC) PREP (5R25GM121212-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10079489. Licensed CC0.

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