# Pathway to graduate study post-baccalaureate training program

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER · 2020 · $310,204

## Abstract

Project Summary
An analysis of the results from the Survey of Earned Doctorates revealed that in 2013, only 4% of those
awarded doctoral degrees in the biological / biomedical sciences were Black or African-Americans and 7%
were Hispanics or Latinos. For those awarded doctoral degrees in the health sciences, 12% were Black or
African-Americans and 4% were Hispanics or Latinos. To address the urgent need to create a diverse
biomedical research workforce, the University of Massachusetts Medical School has launched the Pathway to
Graduate Study Program in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Our program offers an outstanding
opportunity to enhance student academic preparedness and laboratory-based or clinical research experience.
The goal of the program is to prepare students so that they are competitive for admission into top-tier graduate
programs. This institutionally supported post-baccalaureate training program has met with success. We
therefore seek to expand our research education training program with this grant. The goals of our expanded
program include: 1) The recruitment of eligible scholars from national and local pools of candidates,
resulting in a diverse trainee population with respect to disciplinary perspectives; 2) To provide to PREP
scholars strong mentoring teams, academic training tailored to their research goals and tailored to build on
previous educational and research experiences; and opportunities to hone technical skills and professional
skills (e.g. writing, presentations, time management) necessary to enhance academic preparedness for
graduate school; 3) To provide “hands on” research experience embedded within research-intensive UMMS
Departments, Centers, and Institutes. Our breadth of mentors, scientific disciplines, and academic programs
offers the flexibility to individualize each trainee's experience while providing a strong foundation to increase
the likelihood of future academic success. We expect that at least 75% of the PREP scholars will matriculate
and successfully complete graduate programs contributing to the diversification of the trainee population, and
workforce, in the biomedical and behavioral sciences.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9851852
- **Project number:** 5R25GM121220-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** BRIAN C LEWIS
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $310,204
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-01-01 → 2022-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9851852

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9851852, Pathway to graduate study post-baccalaureate training program (5R25GM121220-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9851852. Licensed CC0.

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