Program to support underrepresented students in biomedical research
Official title: Initiative for Maximizing Student Development(IMSD)
Funded at Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis · NIH-11011454 · Data updated 2026-11-12
The Initiative for Maximizing Student Development at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is here to help underrepresented students who want to earn a PhD in biomedical sciences by offering them mentoring and financial support for two years, making it easier for them to succeed and increase diversity in the field.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Training grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $332,317 |
| NIH project number | 5T32GM152782-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11011454 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this program are underrepresented students in Arkansas who are pursuing or interested in biomedical PhD degrees.
✕Less likely to help
Students who are not from underrepresented groups or those not pursuing a career in biomedical research may not benefit from this program.
What this research studies
The Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences aims to increase the number of underrepresented (UR) students pursuing biomedical PhD degrees. This program provides comprehensive mentoring and financial support, including salary and tuition for two years, to help UR students succeed in their academic journey. The initiative focuses on recruiting and retaining UR students, with specific goals to matriculate six new doctoral students each year and achieve a 90% graduation rate. By fostering a supportive environment, the IMSD program seeks to enhance diversity in the biomedical research field.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the representation of underrepresented groups in biomedical research, leading to a more diverse scientific community.
How similar studies have gone: Previous initiatives aimed at increasing diversity in STEM fields have shown success, indicating that this approach has potential for positive outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
Little Rock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomas, Billy R — Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
- Study coordinator: Thomas, Billy R
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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.