Research Online

The NIH Bridges to the Baccalaureate and Bridges to the Doctorate programs aim to directly combat the diversity dearth by engaging underrepresented groups in the biomedical and behavioral research pipeline. Both programs are offering FY 13 awards, with proposals due by October 26, 2012. (Note that these are limited submission opportunities; only one application per institution is allowed.)

A recent report from the National Science Foundation provides strong evidence that diversity remains a critical priority for the success of the U.S. research enterprise. Examining diversity in the biomedical research workforce in particular, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) also presents some startling data, such as the fact that fewer than two percent of NIH principal investigators on research project grants are African-American.

NIH’s Bridges programs foster partnerships between at least two institutions (either community colleges and colleges and universities that offer the baccalaureate degree; or colleges and universities granting a terminal master’s degree and institutions that offer the doctorate degree) to increase the pool of students from underrepresented backgrounds who go on to research careers in the biomedical and behavioral sciences.  Successful projects will foster the development of a well-integrated institutional program to enable students’ successful completion of their degrees.

Applications must clearly indicate the number of Bridges students from each participating associate degree-granting institution or master’s degree institution that would receive support during the academic year and summer. Students may be supported on Bridges funding for up to two years, provided their academic progress toward transfer to the baccalaureate degree program is on track and satisfactory from the associate degree-granting institution. The support to Bridges students from the master’s degree-granting institution provides salary/wages for up to two years provided they are making academic progress toward transfer to the Ph.D. degree program.

Direct specific questions to Michelle R.J. Hamlet at 301/594-3900 or hamletm@mail.nih.gov.