Our Programs

VCU is one of only two institutions in the U.S. to offer research and training programs designed to address disparities in biomedical researchers in all levels of higher education. Since we began, these programs housed within the School of Medicine’s Center on Health Disparities have been awarded a total of $13.3 million in grant funding and have served more than 200 students while maintaining excellent trainee outcomes.

Program name	NIH funding	Program focus	Trainees to date*	Program success	National averages
IMSD – undergrad (Initiative for Maximizing Student Development program)	$2.5 million	Provides research training in the biomedical sciences for undergraduate students from groups traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research	107	98% of participants earned a B.S. within six years	40% of African American students and 54% of Hispanic students receive a bachelor’s degree within six years, nationally
PREP (Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program)	$3.2 million	A one-year biomedical research training program for recent college graduates in groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical sciences	66	92% of participants who enrolled in Ph.D. programs since 2011 have earned that degree or are actively pursuing it	Less than 60% of African American and Hispanic students enrolled in a Ph.D. program completed their degrees in 10 years, according to a national study by the Council of Graduate Schools
IMSD – Ph.D. (Initiative for Maximizing Student Development program)	$2.6 million	Provides Ph.D.- level training in the biomedical sciences from groups traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research	24	67% of participants received Ph.D. degrees in seven years or less.	52% of minority Ph.D. students in life sciences complete their degree in seven years or less, nationally
IRACDA (Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award)	$5 million	A three-year postdoctoral program to train fellows in biomedical research and teaching, focusing on individuals from groups traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research and those committed to teaching at diverse institutions	24	85% of participants found faculty positions as assistant professors and beyond.	Less than 15% of Ph.D. recipients were in tenure-eligible positions six years after receiving their degree, according to 2014 data from the National Science Foundation
HERO-T (VCU Health Education and Research Opportunities for Teachers)	$596,000	Provides secondary school science teachers from high-need schools with research experiences	16	100% of teachers completed the program and have continued teaching	Virginia reports 10% teacher turnover rate with about 50% of those leaving the profession

*May 2021