Please see the full solicitation for complete information about the funding opportunity. Below is a summary assembled by the Research & Innovation Office (RIO).

Program Summary听

The goal of the 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.). This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) provides support to eligible, domestic institutions to develop and implement effective, evidence-based approaches to biomedical training and mentoring that will keep pace with the rapid evolution of the research enterprise. NIGMS expects that the proposed research training programs will incorporate didactic, research, mentoring, and career development elements to prepare trainees for the completion of research-focused higher degree programs in biomedical fields. This program is limited to applications from training programs at baccalaureate degree-granting research-intensive institutions (i.e., those with an average of NIH Research Project Grant funding greater than or equal to $7.5 million total costs over the last 3 fiscal years).

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) does not allow appointed trainees to lead an independent clinical trial but does allow them to obtain research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.

The Overarching Objective of this Maximizing Access to Research Careers 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.). The long-term goal is to develop a diverse pool of well-trained biomedical scientists, who have the following technical, operational, and professional skills:

  • A broad understanding across biomedical disciplines and the skills to independently acquire the knowledge needed to advance their chosen fields;
  • The ability to think critically and independently, and to identify important biomedical research questions and approaches that push forward the boundaries of their areas of study;
  • A strong foundation in scientific reasoning, rigorous research design, experimental methods, quantitative and computational approaches, and data analysis and interpretation;
  • A commitment to approaching and conducting biomedical research responsibly, ethically, and with integrity;
  • Experience initiating, conducting, interpreting, and presenting rigorous and reproducible biomedical research with increasing self-direction;
  • The ability to work effectively in teams with colleagues from a variety of cultural and scientific backgrounds, and to promote inclusive and supportive scientific research environments;
  • The skills to teach and communicate scientific research methodologies and findings to a wide variety of audiences (e.g., discipline-specific, across disciplines, and the public); and
  • The knowledge, professional skills and experiences required to identify and transition into careers in the biomedical research workforce (i.e., the breadth of careers that sustain biomedical research in areas that are relevant to the NIH mission).

Diversity at all levels鈥攆rom the kinds of science to the regions in which it is conducted to the backgrounds of the people conducting it鈥� contributes to excellence in research training environments and strengthens the research enterprise. This FOA is intended to support outstanding research training programs that will enhance diversity at all levels. As part of a larger initiative to enhance diversity, the MARC program will support trainees who are earning a baccalaureate degree at research-intensive institutions and who intend to complete a biomedical research higher degree program (e.g., Ph.D., or M.D./Ph.D.).

Deadlines

CU Internal Deadline: 11:59pm MST March 21, 2022

Sponsor Application Deadline: 5:00pm MST May 26, 2022

Internal Application Requirements (all in PDF format)

  • Project Summary (2-3 pages): Please include the mission, objectives, rationale and design of the research training program. Highlight key activities in the training plan that promote skills development and the successful transition into and completion of biomedical, research-focused higher degree programs. Indicate the intended trainee outcomes.
  • PI CV / Biosketch
  • Budget Overview (up to 1 page): A basic budget outlining project costs is sufficient; detailed OCG budgets are not required.

To access the online application, visit:

Eligibility

For diversity enhancing programs, NIGMS recognizes separate institutional eligibility tracks: research-intensive, i.e., those with an average of NIH funding greater than or equal to $7.5 million total costs over the past 3 fiscal years; and research-active, i.e., those with an average of RPG funding less than $7.5 million total costs over the last 3 fiscal years (RPG data are available through ). For example, FY 2016, FY 2017 and FY 2018 for applications submitted in May 2019.

Institutional eligibility for this FOA is limited to baccalaureate degree-granting research-intensive institutions as defined above. Research-active institutions are not eligible to apply for or receive MARC grants.听 To prevent the duplication of NIGMS diversity enhancing programs, each institution is eligible for one undergraduate program (either or ) regardless of the activity code (R25 or T34), and one graduate program (either or ) regardless of the activity code (R25 or T32). Institutions with NIGMS MARC, U-RISE, IMSD, or G-RISE funding are eligible for the Bridges to the Baccalaureate and/or Bridges to the Doctorate programs. Applicants are encouraged to consult NIGMS staff to discuss eligibility prior to submission.

A funded institution that changes category due to changes in research project grant funding during the grant cycle should apply to the appropriate program based on their eligibility at the time of renewal.听 Programs that change category may report on the program鈥檚 outcomes of the prior funding period(s), up to 15 years in the Program Plan text. 听听

The sponsoring institution must assure support for the proposed program through an 鈥淚nstitutional Support Letter鈥� within the 鈥淟etters of Support鈥� attachment. Additionally, a signed letter is required from the Authorized Organization Representative/Business Official or similar official with institution-wide responsibility verifying the eligibility of the applicant institution at the time of application submission according to the eligibility criteria indicated above. See the application instructions for the required 鈥淟etters of Support鈥� attachment in .

As described in the instructions for the Training Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) in below, NIGMS encourages multiple PDs/PIs, particularly when each brings a unique perspective and skill set that will enhance training. At least one of the training PDs/PIs should be an established investigator in the biomedical sciences and capable of providing both administrative and scientific leadership to the development and implementation of the proposed program.听 Additional PD(s)/PI(s), including individuals with experience in the science of education, relevant social science disciplines, program evaluation, mentoring, and university administration may be included to achieve the training goals. The PD(s)/PI(s) must have a regular full-time appointment (i.e., not adjunct, part-time, retired, or emeritus) at the applicant institution. Any of the PD(s)/PI(s) may serve as the contact PD/PI. The PD(s)/PI(s) will be responsible for the selection and appointment of trainees to the approved research training program, and for the overall direction, management, administration, and evaluation of the program. The PD(s)/PI(s) will be expected to monitor and assess the program and submit all documents and reports as required. The PD(s)/PI(s) have responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the program and are responsible for appointing members of the Advisory Committee (when applicable) and using their recommendations to determine the appropriate allotment of funds. 听听听听听听

Limited Submission Guidelines

Only one application per institution is allowed.

Award Information

The number of awards is contingent upon NIH appropriations and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. The award duration may be up to five years.

Review Criteria

Please see the NIH for the criteria by which applications will be evaluated.