# U-RISE at Delaware State University: Student Training in Academic Research

> **NIH NIH T34** · DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $444,858

## Abstract

U-RISE Delaware State Unversity: Student Training in Academic Research (STAR)
Summary:
 We propose to establish a U-RISE training site at Delaware State University (DSU) as a catalyst to
attract, and to closely train, up to 18 undergraduate students per year in any of the biomedical research
disciplines, totaling up to 54 trainees over the five-year period of the grant. Our STAR Scholars will be
mentored and motivated to ultimately pursue their PhD degree and careers related to biomedical research.
DSU, an Historically Black University (HBCU), enrolls about 4800 undergraduate students, with over 70%
being members of racial and ethnic minority groups that are traditionally underrepresented in STEM. Based
on best practices from the literature, we will implement an educational and research training program that
will support successful graduation of our scholars and ensure that they are accepted to biomedically-related
graduate programs, are motivated to attend, and are prepared for success. Our STAR Scholars will
participate in two summer research internships, first on the DSU campus, and the second at a research
intensive institution. Through the IDeA Networks of Biomdical Research and other connnections, we have
identified a large number of partner institutions who will host our STAR Scholars in their summer
undergraduate research programs, ensuring that they are matched with trained, experienced mentors. To
support our Scholars, we have designed a series of activities, courses, and workshops that will provide
knowledge and skills development to support academic success at DSU and in graduate school. Our
Scholars will be supported by strong, culturally-competent mentors, who have completed an on-line
mentoring course and participate in interventions shown to minimize implicit bias.
 To increase STEM engagement and self-efficacy and strengthen critical thinking skills among the
broader STEM student community at DSU, our program supports professional development to faculty to
integrate course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) into introductory STEM courses. We
expect these early research experiences to increase retention and motivate more students toward careers in
research. We aim that 90% of our DSU-STAR trainees graduate with a bachelor’s degree in a STEM
discipline, at least 60% of our trainees pursue a biomedical Ph.D or Ph.D/M.D. degree at a research-
intensive institution, and at least 80% of those matriculants obtain their degrees. Furthermore, the DSU
STAR program will also support initiatives to increase the four and five year graduation rate from 25% to
35% and 38% to 50%. Finally, we will establish assessment mechanisms to evaluate the program, to ensure
its continuous success.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10130570
- **Project number:** 5T34GM136477-02
- **Recipient organization:** DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Hacene Boukari
- **Activity code:** T34 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $444,858
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-04-01 → 2025-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10130570

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10130570, U-RISE at Delaware State University: Student Training in Academic Research (5T34GM136477-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10130570. Licensed CC0.

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