NIGMS has several activities that are designed to increase the number of researchers who are members of minority groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. The largest of these is MBRS, which awards grants to educational institutions with substantial minority enrollments to support research by faculty members; strengthen the institutions' biomedical research capabilities; and increase the interest, skills, and competitiveness of students and faculty in pursuit of biomedical research careers.
MBRS awards are made to 2- or 4-year colleges, universities, and health professional schools with 50 percent or more enrollments of minorities that have been determined by the grantee institution to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research. Historically, individuals who have been found to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research include, but are not limited to, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Hawaiian Natives, and natives of the U.S. Pacific Islands. In some cases, awards are made to institutions that have a demonstrated commitment to the special encouragement and assistance of minority students and faculty, although the minority student population at these institutions, while still high, is under 50 percent.
MBRS has three major grant mechanisms: Support of Competitive Research (SCORE), Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE), and Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity (IMSD).
For additional information about MBRS awards, call Dr. Hinda Zlotnik at 301-594-3900.
Support of Competitive Research
The SCORE Program is a developmental program that seeks to increase the research competitiveness of investigators at minority-serving institutions (MSIs) with 50% or more enrollment from students from groups underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral research, and the research capabilities of these institutions. To better achieve these objectives, the existing SCORE (S06) program, which had the structure of a non-thematic program project, has been revised so that separate funding opportunities exist for individual investigator-initiated research awards and for a stand-alone institutional award. The mechanisms used for these funding opportunities are the SC1 (PAR-08-026), SC2 (PAR-08-027) and SC3 (PAR-08-028) awards for individual investigators. Research proposed under any of the investigator-initiated SCORE award mechanisms must fall within the scope of the NIH mission, which is science in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability.
For additional information about SCORE awards, see the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, November 16, 2007 or visit the MORE Web site at http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Minority/ or call Dr. Hinda Zlotnik at 301-594-3900.
Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement
The RISE Program (R25) is a student development program for minority-serving institutions. The goal of the RISE Program is to increase the number of students from underrepresented groups in biomedical and behavioral research who complete Ph.D. degree programs in these fields. The program supports institutional grants with well integrated developmental activities that may include, but are not limited to, research experiences at on- or off-campus laboratories, specialty courses with focus on critical thinking and development of research skills, collaborative learning experiences, research careers seminars, scientific reading comprehension and writing skills, tutoring for excellence, and travel to scientific meetings. Support is also available for evaluation activities.
Applications may be submitted by domestic post-secondary minority-serving institutions that have more than 50 percent student enrollment from groups underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research. The applicant institution must award the baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degree in biomedical or behavioral science fields.
An institution may apply for and hold only one RISE grant, and may not be currently receiving support from the MBRS Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity (IMSD) Program. The total requested project period for these awards may not exceed 4 years. Direct costs are limited to $500,000 annually for institutions with programs primarily for baccalaureate and master’s degree students, and $1 million annually for programs that include a significant Ph.D. student component. Awards are renewable.
For additional information about RISE awards, see the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, September 11, 2006 (PAR-06-548), or call Dr. Alberto Rivera-Rentas at 301-594-3900.
Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity
The IMSD Program (R25) is a student development program for research-intensive institutions. The goal of the IMSD Program is to increase the number of students from underrepresented groups in biomedical and behavioral research who complete the Ph.D. degree programs in these fields. The program offers an opportunity to develop new or expand existing effective academic developmental programs, including student research internships, in order to prepare students from underrepresented groups for competitive research careers and leadership positions in the biomedical or behavioral sciences.
IMSD grants are institutional awards. Applications may be submitted by domestic public/state controlled institutions of higher education, and private institutions of higher education that have a significant number of mentors with NIH or other extramural research support. The institution must award the baccalaureate and/or doctoral degree in biomedical or behavioral science fields with a significant number of full-time matriculated students from groups underrepresented in these fields.
An applicant institution may apply for and hold only one IMSD grant. The total requested project period for these awards may not exceed 4 years. Direct costs are limited to $350,000 annually for institutions with programs primarily for baccalaureate degree students and $550,000 annually for programs that include a significant Ph.D. student component. Awards are renewable.
For additional information about IMSD awards, see the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, September 19, 2006 (PAR-06-553), or call Dr. Alberto Rivera-Rentas at 301-594-3900.
