PROJECT SUMMARY & ABSTRACT Building a diverse pool of well-trained scientists in the biomedical research workforce is an important mission for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). With over $700 million in research funding and state-of-the-art research laboratories, university-wide interdisciplinary research centers, institutional cores, and clinical facilities, UAB is an ideal site for programs aimed at preparing undergraduate students for careers that will lead to a PhD or MD-PhD in the biomedical sciences. UAB has a strong record of successful training for undergraduate students and a strong commitment to training undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds. UAB has several short-term (mostly summer) programs that provide limited research opportunities and exposure to biomedical science careers for undergraduate students from underrepresented groups (including racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and persons from disadvantaged backgrounds and/or underserved areas) who aspire to biomedical research careers. However, there is a need at UAB for more longitudinal research training programs for underrepresented undergraduate students to retain them in biomedical research career training pathways and to prepare them for the transition to PhD or MD-PhD programs. A T34- funded Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program at UAB would meet this need. The overall goal of the UAB MARC Program is to provide up to two years of mentored research, education, and career development activities for ten undergraduates (scholars) every two years (matriculating five each year) from groups underrepresented in biomedical research for preparation and transition into high quality PhD or MD-PhD programs. Scholars will be matched with experienced, funded UAB faculty preceptors who will mentor them and provide high quality research experiences in biomedical sciences. The program curriculum will be tailored to each scholars’ needs to prepare them for success in doctoral training, and will address objectives that include critical thinking, quantitative skills development, scientific writing, presentation skills, ethics in research, networking, research career and exposure readiness, and preparation for graduate school. Each scholar will have an individual development plan (IDP) and their progress will be assessed quarterly. The UAB MARC will be led by two PD/PIs, one who was a former MARC scholar, and will be supported by two Associate Directors and a Program Coordinator; the MARC leadership members bring unique skill sets, experience, and perspectives across research and education in undergraduate and graduate biomedical sciences. Program oversight will be supported by an internal advisory committee and program evaluation performed by an external evaluation unit. The major impact of UAB MARC is expected to be at least 80% of UAB MARC participants matriculating into doctoral training programs (PhD or MD-PhD) and at least 80% comple...