Increasing diversity in biomedical research education
Official title: Bridges to the Doctorate at Towson University
Funded at Towson University · NIH-10888313 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program is designed to help African-American, Indigenous, and Hispanic students who have finished a master's degree move on to PhD programs in biomedical research, offering them support and mentorship to succeed in their studies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Training grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Towson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Towson, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $408,303 |
| NIH project number | 5T32GM146694-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10888313 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this program are students from African-American, Indigenous, and Hispanic backgrounds who have completed a master's degree in a relevant field.
✕Less likely to help
Students who do not belong to underrepresented groups or who have not completed a master's degree may not benefit from this program.
What this research studies
This program aims to enhance the representation of African-American, Indigenous, and Hispanic students in biomedical research by providing a pathway from master's to doctoral programs. It focuses on recruiting students from underrepresented groups who have completed a master's degree, helping them transition into PhD programs. The initiative has already shown success in increasing diversity within the Biological Sciences master's program at Towson University, with a high graduation rate and significant acceptance into top doctoral programs. The program also emphasizes mentorship and support to ensure the success of these students in their academic pursuits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more diverse biomedical research workforce, improving representation and innovation in the field.
How similar studies have gone: Similar initiatives have shown success in increasing diversity in graduate programs, indicating that this approach is both effective and necessary.
Where this research is happening
-
Towson University
Towson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ehrlich, Elana S — Towson University
- Study coordinator: Ehrlich, Elana S
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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.