Helping underrepresented community college students transfer to four-year universities
Official title: North County San Diego Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program
Funded at California State University San Marcos · NIH-10897962 · Data updated 2026-11-12
The Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program in North County San Diego is designed to help community college students from underrepresented backgrounds strengthen their academic skills and successfully transfer to four-year colleges, especially in biomedical fields, by offering personalized support, training, and mentorship.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California State University San Marcos NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Marcos, United States) |
| Project start | August 2, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $281,348 |
| NIH project number | 5T34GM150452-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10897962 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this program are underrepresented community college students in the San Diego area who are pursuing degrees in science and are interested in transferring to a four-year university.
✕Less likely to help
Students who are not enrolled in community colleges or those who are already attending four-year institutions may not benefit from this program.
What this research studies
The North County San Diego Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program aims to support underrepresented students in community colleges by enhancing their academic skills and facilitating their transfer to four-year institutions. This program provides structured academic and research training, along with career development opportunities, to help students build a strong foundation for success in biomedical fields. Participants will receive personalized development plans and mentorship to foster their identities as scientists and improve their chances of completing a bachelor's degree.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly increase the number of underrepresented students who successfully transfer to and complete their bachelor's degrees in biomedical fields.
How similar studies have gone: Similar programs have shown success in increasing transfer rates and academic success among underrepresented students in higher education.
Where this research is happening
-
California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brown, Tracey K — California State University San Marcos
- Study coordinator: Brown, Tracey K
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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.