# MARC at University of Iowa

> **NIH NIH T34** · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · 2024 · $437,776

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The mission of the University of Iowa (UI) Initiative for Maximizing Access to Research Careers
(MARC) program is to develop a diverse pool of undergraduates who complete their baccalaureate
degree and transition into and complete biomedical research-focused higher degree programs (e.g.,
Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.). While the overall diversity of the undergraduate population continues to increase
at the UI, gaps in first-year retention and graduation rates persist for underrepresented (UR) minority
students, economically disadvantaged and first-generation students. The proposed UI MARC program
plan for training students directly contributes to NIH’s effort of increasing the diversity of the biomedical
workforce, ensuring NIH remains a leader in scientific innovation and discovery. To meet this effort, we
propose to transition the successful undergraduate initiatives currently in place in the UI IMSD program
to the UI MARC program. Specific strategies for trainee development outlined in the proposal include: a
mentored research training experience, evidence-based mentor and mentee training, professional
development activities, and access to career counseling. To implement the proposed training plan, we
have identified faculty and staff with expertise in several key areas. These include: undergraduate
researcher training, doctoral training (including T32-based training), mentor training, career
development, responsible conduct in research and reproducibility, science communication, quantitative
fluency, and program evaluation. The UI MARC will continue to embed itself within the institution
working with departments, units and centers across six colleges on campus to increase science cultural
capital of UR students on campus. Successful interventions identified through the UI MARC program
that are found to significantly enhance student researcher and faculty mentor development will continue
to be disseminated on campus and through national networks.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10853123
- **Project number:** 5T34GM141143-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
- **Principal Investigator:** LORI C ADAMS-PHILLIPS
- **Activity code:** T34 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $437,776
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-06-01 → 2025-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10853123

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10853123, MARC at University of Iowa (5T34GM141143-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10853123. Licensed CC0.

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