Project Summary The objective of the University of Pennsylvania Post-Baccalaureate Research and Education Program (PennPREP) is to guide recent college graduates from underrepresented groups (UR) into graduate school to pursue biomedical research. Twelve UR scholars are identified each year who are interested in biomedical research but lack experience or expertise necessary for graduate school training. Each scholar is matched with a research mentor among the graduate training faculty and provided with a one-year (possibly two year) intensive research project. Individual Development Plans are developed for each scholar to ensure their engage in research and professional development activities are appropriate to their scientific interests, needs, and goals, including graduate or advanced undergraduate coursework. Scholars develop skills necessary for success in graduate school by completing workshops in biostatistics, safe and responsible conduct of research, scientific rigor and reproducibility, critical analysis of scientific literature, and oral and written presentation skills. Scholars meet weekly as a group to discuss scientific journal articles and their own research to further develop skills in the critical evaluation of research and scientific presentations, as well as to increase exposure to research outside their own laboratory. Scholars receive advising for the graduate school application process, including selecting programs, writing application essays, and interview practice. Support is provided for GRE or MCAT preparation courses, as needed. To establish professional networks, scholars meet with Penn faculty, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students, among them PREP alumni, who share their experience, research, and academic path. A regional PREP Symposium is held annually with partner PREP programs to provide additional research exposure and networking opportunities. Scholars attend at least one national conference per year, such as ABRCMS, and SACNAS, to present their research, broaden exposure and establish networks. Scholars are encouraged to join and participate in graduate student groups to build community and identify scientific role models. Mechanisms are in place for measuring the effectiveness of the program components and to improve the training experience over time. The ultimate measure of program success is the admission of PREP scholars to PhD or MD-PhD training programs and the pursuit a research career. Over the past 18 years, 81% (94/116) of scholars completing PREP were admitted to PhD or MD-PhD programs, with 31% (7/22) of those remaining seeking MD or other professional health degrees. Currently, 42 scholars are enrolled in PhD or MD-PhD training, with 38 completing such degrees and moving on to careers related to biomedical research.