# Bridges to the Baccalaureate Research Training Program T34

> **NIH NIH T34** · UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO · 2023 · $98,616

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The North Idaho Bridges to Baccalaureate (NI-B2B) program will establish an enduring partnership between
the University of Idaho (U of I) and North Idaho College (NIC). We identified a large cohort of biology-interested
undergraduate students at NIC, half of whom are from populations underrepresented (UR) in sciences. The
number of NIC students who transfer to complete a biomedical related bachelor’s degree at U of I is low (~35
students per year) and there are few undergraduate research opportunities for NIC students. Surveys of NIC
students revealed barriers to transfer including lack of knowledge about degree plans and financial hardships.
A self-assessment conducted at U of I identified undergraduate research-oriented departments and mentors
with experience supporting UR in science students. These self-studies are the basis for the proposed five-
year project to increase the number and diversity of students in biomedical research by partnering NIC
students with U of I faculty mentors. To do so, we will pursue two program objectives: 1) increase the number
of NIC to U of I transfer students by 10% per year of the program (from 35 to 55+ per year over five years) and
2) increase the graduation rate and matriculation of U of I UR students into graduate research programs by
50% over baseline during the project period. Rationale: NIC currently offers only six research opportunities for
>1,800 biology-interested students and has a low go-on rate, limiting the pipeline of UR students into graduate
research programs and careers. The NI-B2B program will develop a pipeline program to increase the number
and diversity of students entering graduate research programs and careers. Research Training Program
Design: The program objectives will be met by achieving the following program goals: Aim 1. Increase the
number and diversity of students pursuing biomedical research careers by developing a transfer
pathway for NIC students. We will integrate interdisciplinary Course-based Undergraduate Research
Experiences (CURE) labs into existing NIC courses to promote transfer and completion of a four-year degree.
The CURE course will also serve to introduce and recruit applicants into the NI-B2B program. Aim 2. Immerse
NI-B2B scholars in biomedical research experiences. We will immerse cohorts of 6 NIC students in
biomedical research experiences with a faculty mentor at U of I during the summers before and after bridging
to U of I. Aim 3. Prepare NI-B2B scholars for graduate studies by embedding them in a mentored
research environment and by helping students develop competitive graduate program applications.
We will integrate students into a research team and a NI-B2B scholars cohort. Students will learn to conduct
independent research in a mentored research environment and learn to interpret and communicate scientific
results as they consolidate a scientist identity. Students will prepare to take the GRE and learn to select and
develop tailored graduate p...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10714711
- **Project number:** 1T34GM142620-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO
- **Principal Investigator:** Rhena Cooper
- **Activity code:** T34 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $98,616
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-08-01 → 2028-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10714711

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10714711, Bridges to the Baccalaureate Research Training Program T34 (1T34GM142620-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10714711. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*