The Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Program was created in response to a legislative mandate to “increase the numbers of underrepresented minority students engaged in biomedical and behavioral research. To achieve these goals, the Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) program, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), provide well integrated developmental activities that will increase student’s preparation and skills as they advance academically in the pursuit.  In the last decade the UPR-Río Piedras Campus has been recognized as the Major undergraduate source for minority doctorates in Biology and Chemistry among Hispanic and underrepresented minority.  The Río Piedras-RISE program addresses the following objective:

     Increase the number of undergraduate who move into biomedical research careers.

      Strengthen the research and professional skills of undergraduates in order to increase their probability of success in the fields.

      Increase the number of graduate students who complete their Ph.D.s and move to into postdoctoral positions in biomedical research.

      Increase the competitiveness of undergraduate and graduate students by strengthening their research, academic and professional skills.

Undergraduate Admission Criteria:

       Major in Biology or Chemistry.

       Interest and determination in pursuing Ph.D. in any of the area mentioned above or M.D./Ph.D.

       Minimum GPA of 3.0 (overall and in sciences).

     Previous experience in undergraduate research at one of the UPR laboratories for at least 1 semester.

Program Requirements:

       Maintain full time status throughout the semester
(at least 12 credits)

       Spend sufficient time in the laboratory to make adequate research progress (at least 15 hrs./week during semester and 37.5 hrs./week summer) in order to develop a full project.

      Only UPR, Río Piedras Campus research mentors.

      Present results at one scientific conference per year.

      Undergraduate (sophomore and junior year) will apply to at least three summer internship in the US and participate in at least one outside research summer experience.

      Take the preparatory courses for GRE exam.

      Student progress will be evaluated at the end of each semester by the steering committee in order to evaluate their commitment for the RISE Program.

       U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency.

The participants of the RISE Program will receive:

     Stipend of $9,600.00 per year.

     $2,000.00 for travel to scientific meeting.

     $1,500.00 for research materials.

      Opportunities to engage in university level research.

      Paid summer research internships off-campus at research universities.