ABSTRACT The mission of the University of Iowa (UI) Initiative for Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) program is to develop a diverse pool of undergraduates who complete their baccalaureate degree and transition into and complete biomedical research-focused higher degree programs (e.g., Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.). While the overall diversity of the undergraduate population continues to increase at the UI, gaps in first-year retention and graduation rates persist for underrepresented (UR) minority students, economically disadvantaged and first-generation students. The proposed UI MARC program plan for training students directly contributes to NIH’s effort of increasing the diversity of the biomedical workforce, ensuring NIH remains a leader in scientific innovation and discovery. To meet this effort, we propose to transition the successful undergraduate initiatives currently in place in the UI IMSD program to the UI MARC program. Specific strategies for trainee development outlined in the proposal include: a mentored research training experience, evidence-based mentor and mentee training, professional development activities, and access to career counseling. To implement the proposed training plan, we have identified faculty and staff with expertise in several key areas. These include: undergraduate researcher training, doctoral training (including T32-based training), mentor training, career development, responsible conduct in research and reproducibility, science communication, quantitative fluency, and program evaluation. The UI MARC will continue to embed itself within the institution working with departments, units and centers across six colleges on campus to increase science cultural capital of UR students on campus. Successful interventions identified through the UI MARC program that are found to significantly enhance student researcher and faculty mentor development will continue to be disseminated on campus and through national networks.

PROJECT NARRATIVE The University of Iowa (UI) Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) program provides ongoing and intense academic and research support to undergraduate students and faculty research mentors in an effort to increase the rate of disadvantaged and underrepresented students matriculating to and completing biomedical doctoral research programs. The UI MARC program directly contributes to NIH’s effort of increasing the diversity of the biomedical workforce ensuring NIH remains a leader in scientific innovation and discovery. Supporting a diverse workforce, particularly a diverse group of research investigators, brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences to solve complex programs, and increases the likelihood that research questions related to human health are relevant to all populations.