Program to help students earn Ph.D.s in biomedical research

SFSU/UCSF M.S. Bridges to the Doctorate Program

NIH-funded research San Francisco State University · NIH-11038938

This program is designed to help students from under-represented backgrounds get ready for advanced degrees in biomedical research by offering a master's degree at San Francisco State University, where they'll get hands-on research experience and support to help them get into top doctoral programs like UCSF.

Quick facts

Grant typeTraining grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSan Francisco State University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-11038938 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This program aims to support under-represented students in pursuing advanced degrees in biomedical research. It provides a focused master's degree education at San Francisco State University (SFSU) that prepares students for competitive acceptance into top doctoral programs, such as those at UCSF. Participants will engage in research activities, receive academic advising, and benefit from a nurturing research environment to ensure their successful transition to Ph.D. programs.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this program are under-represented students pursuing a master's degree in Biology or Biochemistry who aspire to earn a Ph.D. in biomedical research.

Not a fit: Students who are not pursuing a career in biomedical research or who do not meet the under-represented criteria may not benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly increase the diversity of the biomedical research workforce and improve access to advanced education for under-represented students.

How similar studies have performed: Similar programs have successfully increased the number of under-represented students in doctoral programs, demonstrating the effectiveness of targeted educational support.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, 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 2026-06-09 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.