The Minority Access to Research Career (MARC) Program was created by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) to increase the number of biomedical and behavioral scientist from minority groups.  The key objective of the MARC Program in the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, is to prepare Juniors and Seniors majoring in Biology and Chemistry to successfully compete for Ph.D. position in leading institutions that offer biomedical programs.

There are more than 60 similar programs in different universities and the program at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus is the largest of these.  There are positions for 34 students and the annual recruitment is approximately 17 candidates.  Until now 107 trainees have completed their Ph.D., the majority at the most highly qualified faculty mentors, student development activities, assistance with; GRE exams, internships, graduate school applications, on site internship and graduate school recruitment.  To facilitate a full time participation the trainees receive stipends for 24 months and start on June 1^st of their first year of research training.

Students with a mayor in Biology or Chemistry qualify if they fulfill these requirements:

       Maintained a 3.2 grade point average in sciences and other courses.

       Have completed Organic Chemistry.

       Clearly demonstrate a genuine interest in completing a PhD degree.

       U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency.

Those students interested in completing studies to be a MD do not qualify.  On the other hand, those interested in enrolling a M.D. Ph.D. program, do qualify, but should realize that all of those programs require science GPA's > 3.85 and MCAT score > 28.

Participation in the program requires:

       Attendance all the MARC seminars and/or meetings.

       Attendance all the special workshops that the program offers.

       Enrollment in the undergraduate research course every semester.

       Presentation of research result in a public forum at least once a year.

       Completion of a bachelor's degree in Chemistry or Biology.

       Participation in summer research internships.

       Completion of a Tesina on research work at the end of his/her appointment period.

The participants of the MARC Program will receive:

    Training in the latest research techniques.

   A stipend of $913.00 monthly during the 24 months that will be participating in the Program.

    Exemption in tuition fees during this time (does not include summer tuition fees).

      Funds for a travel to present his/her work at a scientific meeting.

      Assistance to be admitted in graduate programs.

At a National level, the MARC Program has fellowships available for graduate studies.  These fellowships are very competitive and are granted to students in a graduate program.  These fellowships are awarded for a maximum of five (5) years and cover Tuition Fees, laboratory supplies, and a stipend for personal expenses.

Application form can be obtained in the Program’s Office.  This application consists of a admission form that has to be filled and three (3) letter of recommendation that has to be submitted by professors of any course of our Faculty.  With the application, every student has to request an official transcript be sent to MARC Program, Facundo Bueso Bldg. 3^rd Floor, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, P.R.  00931.  The application deadline will be announced in advance.  Applications that are not in the Office at the deadline date will not be considered for evaluation.

The Program’s Steering Committee will analyze all the applications and all the qualified students will be called for an interview.  The committee will make the selection and the students will be admitted to the Program according to the interview, application and letters of recommendations submitted by professors.  The selected students will begin his/her research in the laboratory on June 1^st.