Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 16 113
Apply for PAR 16 113
- The HHS-NIH11 in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Maximizing Access to Research Careers Undergraduate - Student Training in Academic Research (MARC U-STAR) (T34)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.859,.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 24, 2016 and posted on Feb 24, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 25, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
The Maximizing Access to Research Careers Undergraduate - Student Training in Academic Research (MARC U-STAR) program (T34) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity that supports colleges and universities in building structured undergraduate research training programs for high-achieving students from groups underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. The central purpose is to create a clear, well-supported pathway that helps these students successfully transition from completing a bachelors degree into competitive doctoral (Ph.D. or equivalent) programs in biomedical research-related fields. In practice, the program is meant to strengthen both research readiness and long-term academic competitiveness, not simply provide short-term lab exposure.
A key expectation of MARC U-STAR is that participating institutions offer an organized set of training activities rather than ad hoc research opportunities. Funded programs are expected to provide authentic, hands-on research experiences where students actively participate in real research projects under the guidance of experienced mentors. Alongside lab or research placement, the program calls for academic enhancements (such as coursework support, enrichment experiences, or structured learning opportunities that reinforce core scientific knowledge), skills development (for example, research methods, scientific communication, critical thinking, and professional development), and consistent mentoring. The emphasis on mentoring reflects the idea that sustained guidance, feedback, and role modeling are essential to helping students navigate the expectations of research careers and the graduate admissions process.
Eligibility is focused on institutions that have a substantial enrollment of honors students from underrepresented backgrounds in the biomedical sciences and that can demonstrate the capacity to run a rigorous, supportive training environment. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and additional eligible entities as specified in the programs eligibility language. The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the NIH (agency listed as HHS-NIH11). It falls under the health funding activity category and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.859 (as well as 93.859 listed in the source data set).
The long-term goal of the MARC U-STAR program is workforce-focused: increasing the number of underrepresented students who earn biomedical research baccalaureate degrees and continue on to complete Ph.D. degrees in biomedical research fields. Over time, NIH frames this as a strategy to strengthen and diversify the nations scientific workforce by expanding who has access to intensive research training, strong mentorship networks, and the preparation needed to thrive in doctoral-level biomedical research programs.
This particular funding announcement is identified as Funding Opportunity Number PAR-16-113. It is a discretionary grant mechanism with the original posting and creation dates listed as February 24, 2016, and an application closing date of May 25, 2018 (with the original and current closing date both shown as May 25, 2018). The source data provided does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, indicating those details were either not set in the extracted record or were addressed elsewhere in the full announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the MARC U-STAR (T34) program?
The Maximizing Access to Research Careers Undergraduate - Student Training in Academic Research (MARC U-STAR) program, activity code T34, is an NIH grant opportunity that supports colleges and universities in creating structured undergraduate research training programs for high-achieving students from groups underrepresented in the biomedical sciences.
What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The central purpose is to build a clear, well-supported pathway that helps participating students move successfully from earning a bachelor's degree into competitive doctoral programs (Ph.D. or equivalent) in biomedical research-related fields. The program is designed to strengthen research readiness and long-term academic competitiveness, not just provide short-term lab exposure.
Who is the intended trainee population?
The program is focused on high-achieving undergraduate students from groups underrepresented in the biomedical sciences, particularly within institutions that enroll a substantial number of honors students from these backgrounds.
What types of organizations can apply for MARC U-STAR funding?
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and additional eligible entities as specified in the program's eligibility language.
What institutional characteristics are emphasized for eligibility?
Eligibility is aimed at institutions that (1) have a substantial enrollment of honors students from underrepresented backgrounds in the biomedical sciences and (2) can demonstrate capacity to operate a rigorous, supportive training environment.
Which federal agency administers this opportunity?
This opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The agency is listed as HHS-NIH11.
Is MARC U-STAR considered a health-related funding opportunity?
Yes. It falls under the health funding activity category.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The program is associated with CFDA number 93.859 (listed as 93.859 in the provided source data).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR-16-113.
What grant mechanism type is this?
It is listed as a discretionary grant mechanism.
What does NIH expect institutions to build under MARC U-STAR?
NIH expects an organized set of training activities rather than ad hoc research opportunities. The program should be a structured undergraduate research training program with coordinated components that collectively prepare students for doctoral-level training in biomedical research fields.
Are hands-on research experiences required?
Yes. Funded programs are expected to provide authentic, hands-on research experiences where students actively participate in real research projects under the guidance of experienced mentors.
Besides research placement, what other training components are expected?
Alongside lab or research placement, the program calls for academic enhancements (such as coursework support, enrichment experiences, or structured learning that reinforces core scientific knowledge), skills development (for example, research methods, scientific communication, critical thinking, and professional development), and consistent mentoring.
How important is mentoring in MARC U-STAR?
Mentoring is a key emphasis. The program reflects the expectation that sustained guidance, feedback, and role modeling help students understand research career expectations and navigate the graduate admissions process.
What is the long-term goal of the MARC U-STAR program?
The long-term goal is to increase the number of underrepresented students who earn biomedical research baccalaureate degrees and continue on to complete Ph.D. degrees in biomedical research fields. NIH frames this as a workforce strategy to strengthen and diversify the nation's scientific workforce.
When was this funding opportunity posted and created?
The original posting date and creation date are both listed as February 24, 2016.
What is the application closing date shown for this opportunity?
The application closing date is listed as May 25, 2018. The information provided shows both the original and current closing date as May 25, 2018.
Does the provided information include an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The source data provided does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, indicating those details were not set in the extracted record or were addressed elsewhere in the full announcement.
Is the focus of the program short-term lab exposure or long-term preparation?
The focus is long-term preparation. The opportunity is described as strengthening research readiness and long-term academic competitiveness so students are prepared to transition into competitive doctoral programs.
What outcomes does NIH ultimately want to see from supported programs?
Based on the description provided, NIH ultimately wants to see more underrepresented students successfully prepared for and moving into Ph.D. (or equivalent) biomedical research doctoral programs, contributing to a stronger and more diverse biomedical research workforce over time.
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