A program to help students from diverse backgrounds pursue doctoral degrees in biomedical fields
Official title: Texas Doctoral Bridge Program
Funded at Texas State University · NIH-10936047 · Data updated 2026-11-12
The Texas Doctoral Bridge Program is designed to help talented master's students from Texas State University, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, get ready for Ph.D. programs in biomedical fields at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, providing them with support and mentorship to succeed and finish their degrees faster.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Training grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Marcos, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $315,598 |
| NIH project number | 1T32GM154636-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10936047 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this program are master's students from Texas State University who are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and come from historically marginalized backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Students who are not enrolled in thesis-based master's programs or who do not belong to historically marginalized groups may not benefit from this program.
What this research studies
The Texas Doctoral Bridge Program aims to enhance the diversity of the biomedical workforce by preparing and recruiting outstanding master's students from Texas State University for competitive Ph.D. programs at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. This program specifically targets students from historically marginalized groups, providing them with the necessary support and training to succeed in advanced biomedical studies. By offering mentorship and resources, the program seeks to reduce the time it takes for students to complete their degrees while increasing the number of graduates who transition into doctoral programs. The initiative has a proven track record of success, having previously increased the representation of diverse students in doctoral programs significantly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could lead to a more diverse and inclusive biomedical workforce, ultimately improving health outcomes for various communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous programs aimed at increasing diversity in doctoral programs have shown significant success, indicating a strong potential for this initiative.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas State University
San Marcos, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Whitten, Steven T — Texas State University
- Study coordinator: Whitten, Steven T
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.