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
|
NIH
|
Program
|
Trainees
|
Program
|
National
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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