Funding-Limited submission – NIH Bridges to the Doctorate Program (R25) PAR-11-279; August 22, 2011

NIH Bridges to the Doctorate Program solicits research education grant applications from institutions that propose to increase the pool of master’s degree students from underrepresented backgrounds who go on to research careers in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, and who are trained and available to participate in NIH-funded research. This initiative promotes partnerships/consortia between colleges or universities granting a terminal master’s degree with institutions that offer the doctorate degree. Each proposed program must consist of a partnership/consortium composed of at least two institutions, including the lead applicant institution. One must be an institution that offers the master’s degree as the only graduate degree in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. Another institution must be a college or university granting the Ph.D. degree in biomedical and behavioral sciences. The proposed partnership/consortium should be composed of no more than three institutions, including the lead applicant institution.

Applications must provide baseline data on enrollment, transfer and subsequent graduation of its underrepresented students in biomedical and behavioral sciences. Specific aims must be based on this self-assessment and must be consonant with the Bridges to the Doctorate goals and objective. The specific aims may include, but are not limited to the following: improvements in the writing and presentation skills of students; increase in retention and graduation rates (individual and institutional); and increase in the number of students transferring to and successfully completing the Ph.D. degree in biomedical and behavioral sciences. The program outcome measures and impact on the participating institutions should be presented relative to baseline data.

See the complete Program Announcement for details and additional requirements: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-11-279.html

NIH limits an institution to one Bridges to the Doctorate application.  Individuals interested in submitting to this program should send the following information to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, August 22, 2011:

· Names and departments of the Project Director and key personnel at UK

· Names of collaborating institutions and the participating personnel

· A brief description of the proposed program (2-3 pages) including goals and specific aims relative to the institutional baseline and the developmental activities that would move the institution from baseline to the program’s expectations

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission.  The next NIH deadline is September 25, 2011. Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)