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(CLOSED) PAR-24-138: Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) (T34)

Slots: 1

Deadlines

Internal Deadline: April 19, 2024, 5pm PT TBA

LOI: N/A

External Deadline: May 28, 2025

Recurring Deadlines: May 27, 2026

Award Information

Award Type: Grant

Estimated Number of Awards: The number of awards is contingent upon NIH appropriations and the number of meritorious applications submitted.

Anticipated Award Amount: Application budgets should reflect the actual needs of the proposed project.

Who May Serve as PI: 

As described in the instructions for the Training Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) in Section IV.2 below, NIGMS encourages multiple PDs/PIs, particularly when each brings a unique perspective and skill set that will enhance training. Note the following:

  • To provide research training leadership for the program, at least one of the Training PDs/PIs should have a record of using rigorous and transparent methods in experimental design, data collection, analysis, and reporting in a biomedical research field applicable to the program.
  • Additional PDs/PIs may be included to strengthen the expertise of the PD/PI team. Examples include individuals such as program directors who regularly interact with students, or individuals with expertise in education, relevant social sciences, program evaluation, mentoring, efforts to promote broad participation in the biomedical sciences, or university administration. 

Any of the PDs/PIs may serve as the contact PD/PI. The contact PD/PI is expected to have a full-time appointment at the applicant organization unless extremely well-justified. If the full-time status of the contact PD/PI changes after the award, the organization must obtain prior program approval to appoint a new PD/PI or request a deviation from the full-time rule. The PD(s)/PI(s) will be responsible for:

  • The overall direction, management, and administration of the program, including ensuring the training program is appropriately evaluated.
  • The day-to-day administration of the program, including direct involvement with trainees.
  • The selection and appointment of trainees to the research training program.
  • The selection of faculty mentors for the program, assessment of mentor performance, and ensuring the program deals appropriately with substandard mentor performance.
  • Facilitating arrangements for trainees to participate in summer research experiences (SREs) by the spring of each year. 
  • Monitoring and assessing the program and submitting all documents and reports as required.
  • Appointing members of the Advisory Committee (when applicable) and implementing their guidance as appropriate.

Link to Award: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-24-138.html

Process for Limited Submissions

PIs must submit their application as a Limited Submission through the Research Initiatives and Infrastructure (RII) Application Portal: https://rii.usc.edu/oor-portal/. Use the template provided here: RII Limited Submission Applicant Template

Materials to submit include:

  • (1) Two-Page Proposal Summary (1” margins; single-spaced; standard font type, e.g. Arial, Helvetica, Times New Roman, or Georgia typeface; font size: 11 pt). Page limit includes references and illustrations. Pages that exceed the 2-page limit will be excluded from review. You must use the template linked above.
  • (2) CV – (5 pages maximum)

Note: The portal requires information about the PIs in addition to department and contact information, including the 10-digit USC ID#, Gender, and Ethnicity. Please have this material prepared before beginning this application.

Purpose

Program Objective

The Overarching Objective of the Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) (T34) program is to promote broad participation in the biomedical research workforce by strengthening research training environments and expanding the pool of well-trained students who:

  • Complete their baccalaureate degree, and
  • Transition into and complete biomedical, research-focused higher degree programs (such as Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.).

The program should provide trainees with the following:

  • A broad exposure to foundational biomedical disciplines.
  • The skills to acquire the knowledge needed to advance their chosen fields and careers.
  • The ability to think critically about important biomedical research questions and approaches that push forward the boundaries of their areas of study.
  • A strong foundation in scientific reasoning, rigorous research design, experimental methods, quantitative and computational approaches, and data analysis and interpretation.
  • The skills to conduct research in the safest manner possible, and a commitment to approaching and conducting biomedical research responsibly, ethically, and with integrity.
  • Experiences conducting, interpreting, and presenting rigorous and reproducible biomedical research with increasing self-direction.
  • The ability to work effectively in teams with colleagues from a variety of cultural and scientific backgrounds, and to promote inclusive and supportive scientific research environments.
  • The skills to communicate scientific methodologies and findings to a wide variety of audiences (for example, discipline-specific, across disciplines, and for the public).
  • The knowledge, professional skills and experiences required to identify and transition into careers in the biomedical research workforce (for example, the breadth of careers that sustain biomedical research in areas that are relevant to the NIH mission).

Visit our Institutionally Limited Submission webpage for more updates and other announcements.