Creating pathways for under-represented students to pursue doctoral degrees in biomedical sciences

Bridge to the Doctorate at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

NIH-funded research University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NIH-10893534

This program is designed to help more women and people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds succeed in science, especially in areas like bioinformatics and genomics, by connecting Master's students at Fisk University with doctoral programs at the University of Illinois, so they can gain the skills and support they need to thrive in biomedical research.

Quick facts

Grant typeTraining grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Champaign, United States)
Project IDNIH-10893534 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This program aims to address the under-representation of racial and ethnic minorities and women in quantitative sciences, particularly in biomedical fields. It establishes a bridge between Master's programs at Fisk University and doctoral programs at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The initiative focuses on training students in areas such as bioinformatics, computational biology, and genomic biology, providing them with the necessary skills and opportunities to succeed in these disciplines. By nurturing a diverse generation of researchers, the program seeks to enhance representation in biomedical discovery and leadership.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this program are under-represented students, particularly women and racial and ethnic minorities, who are pursuing or have completed a Master's degree in relevant fields.

Not a fit: Students who are not from under-represented backgrounds or who are not pursuing a Master's degree in related fields may not benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase diversity in the field of biomedical sciences, leading to more inclusive research outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Similar initiatives have shown success in increasing diversity in STEM fields, indicating that this approach has potential for positive outcomes.

Where this research is happening

Champaign, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.