# The BioGradMatch Program

> **NIH NIH R41** · ADMIT ACADEMY LLC · 2022 · $149,957

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that diversity in the biomedical research workforce is critical to
advancing science, and supports activities that encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds in the
biomedical sciences, to pursue further studies or careers in research.(1) The NIH published a Notice (NOT-
OD-20-031) on 11/22/19 that African Americans are underrepresented in biomedical research and should be
encouraged to participate in NIH-funded programs to enhance diversity. The NIH’s National Institute of
General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) mission provides leadership in enhancing the diversity of the scientific
workforce.(2) This is fulfilled through education and training programs that increase understanding of
biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research.(1) The SBIR/STTR research topics of interest to NIGMS related
to this application are supported by the Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity. The
Division encourages projects that develop skills and/or increases the efficiencies of diversity-enhancing
research training programs using technologies and tools targeted to post high-school students in the
biomedical research workforce pathway.(3)
The BioGradMatch program is a joint venture between the Admit Academy LLC and Stillman College. We
propose to increase diversity in the biomedical research workforce by matching undergraduate bioscience
majors at Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) with biomedical science graduate programs at
NIH-funded research institutions. BioGradMatch is adapted from the AdmitAcademy, a business model that
uses behavioral economics theory to match high school students to undergraduate institutions. Guided by the
Transtheoretical Model (TTM) stages of change framework, BioGradMatch targets African American
bioscience undergraduates at HBCUs and uses a tailored approach (MatchFinder survey) to match students
with at least 3 biomedical graduate programs. Each student will have a GradCoach to facilitate the application
and admissions process. The major goal of BioGradMatch is for the targeted students to apply and be
admitted into the graduate program that fits their research interests.
This Phase I – STTR application will establish the technical merit and feasibility of the BioGradMatch program.
Specific Aim I: Develop and evaluate the usefulness of the BioGradMatch program based on the
Transtheoretical (Stages of Change) Model to increase HBCU undergraduate students’ applications to
biomedical science graduate programs.
Specific Aim II: Measure the factors contributing to the Stages of Change; move from Pre-contemplation to
Action (submission of the graduate program application).
Specific Aim III: Develop the expansion plan for the Phase II STTR project.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10385933
- **Project number:** 1R41GM145182-01
- **Recipient organization:** ADMIT ACADEMY LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Levine Josh
- **Activity code:** R41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $149,957
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-04-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10385933

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10385933, The BioGradMatch Program (1R41GM145182-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10385933. Licensed CC0.

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