# Intermountain PREP

> **NIH NIH R25** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2022 · $311,185

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
The mission of the Intermountain PREP (IM-PREP) is to build a diverse biomedical research workforce reflecting
the talent pool of our diverse population. The University of Utah is committed to fortifying, sustaining, and
amplifying the STEM pipeline that trains and launches a diverse research workforce. IM-PREP will specifically
address the leaks in the pipeline leading from undergraduate to doctoral training of groups underrepresented in
STEM. IM-PREP will recruit students from diverse backgrounds, including pipeline relationships with Historically
Black Colleges and Universities. These students demonstrate a strong drive for research and would benefit from
additional research-intensive training experiences and professional development, enhancing both their
successful transition to top-tier doctoral programs, as well as their long-term retention in PhD-based career
tracks. In order to accomplish these goals, IM-PREP will provide key proposed activities that include (1) holistic,
culturally-competent mentored experiences to undertake hypothesis-driven research; (2) scientific coursework
and professional workshops that enhance strong oral and written communication skills, and instill successful
strategies for applying to graduate school; (3) an innovative, inclusive support system that develops and
implements an Individual Development Plan (IDP), in a mastery learning context, to enhance trainee self-efficacy
and authentic scientific identity. Throughout the training process, we employ a matrix mentoring approach that
incorporates peer and near-peer support, cultural STEM communities and diverse role-models. Our approach is
built on University-wide momentum and infrastructure dedicated to supporting STEM equity, diversity and
inclusion. As part of its institutional commitment, the University of Utah funded a pilot IM-PREP program
beginning last spring, and we have shaped our proposed extramural program based on practical experience
developing and leading the IM-PREP pilot and mentoring its diverse trainees. We are confident that IM-PREP
will fortify its Scholars’ critical thinking and research mastery and develop a resilient mindset to persist in graduate
training and beyond, where they will join and lead a more diverse biomedical research enterprise.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10557571
- **Project number:** 1R25GM144253-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** MARKUS BABST
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $311,185
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-19 → 2027-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10557571

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10557571, Intermountain PREP (1R25GM144253-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10557571. Licensed CC0.

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