# YEARS 19 - 23:  BCM POST-BACCALAUREATE RESEARCH EDUCATION PROGRAM

> **NIH NIH R25** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2024 · $384,822

## Abstract

Summary
The goal of the Baylor College of Medicine Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program (BCM-PREP) is
to mentor post-baccalaureates (Scholars) who are underrepresented (UR) in science and medicine to be
competitive to enter into and be successful in a research-intensive biomedical Ph.D. program. BCM has a
long history of mentoring UR trainees at the undergraduate (Summer Medical Research Training, SMART,
since 1988), post-baccalaureates (BCM-PREP since 2003), and graduate (Initiative for Maximizing Student
Development, since 1998). The BCM-PREP has trained 106 Scholars since initial funding and alumni have
excellent records of achievement and productivity equivalent to non-UR trainees at BCM, positioning them for
leadership roles in the biomedical research community. Ninety-five percent (95%) of alumni are involved in
academia or jobs in science-related fields, contributing to the diversity of the US scientific workforce. These
results far exceed our goals of having 75% of alumni enrolling in a Ph.D. program in top ranked
research-intensive institutions and that at least 80% of alumni enroll and complete a Ph.D. This BCM-
PREP renewal requests an extra slot annually to train forty Scholars (8/year) over the next five years.
We propose to continue recruiting, mentoring, training, and advancing UR education in biomedical research by
supporting Scholars to work at state-of-the-art research laboratories and core facilities at BCM. The
curriculum and training include mentored, original research in a laboratory, science writing and oral
presentation skills, analysis of the scientific and medical literature, critical thinking and evaluation, responsible
conduct of research, and the principles of scientific rigor and reproducibility. Scholars will develop an individual
development plan (IDP) and learn how to maintain a continuous review of the IDP for career and personal
success. Each Scholar will be provided with academic experiences in review of foundational knowledge in
molecular and cellular biology. We will enhance UR Scholar research success with writing workshops and
scientific conference participation and mentoring for fellowship writing and grantsmanship. We will use
innovative educational experiences and practices to support development and career management and
success of our UR Scholars by mentee and mentor workshops based on the National Mentoring Research
Network and by developing teamwork skills through team-based science training developed at BCM. These
activities will advance the UR post-baccalaureates to be successful in research-intensive PhD programs and
to diversify the biomedical workforce by focusing their minds on innovative approaches and experiences to
build knowledge to decrease morbidity, mortality and improve the health of our diverse national population.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10767939
- **Project number:** 5R25GM069234-20
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Fred A Pereira
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $384,822
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2003-08-01 → 2025-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10767939

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10767939, YEARS 19 - 23:  BCM POST-BACCALAUREATE RESEARCH EDUCATION PROGRAM (5R25GM069234-20). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-07-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10767939. Licensed CC0.

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