Summer Pre-Trainee Program

Freshmen and Sophomores Only

The MARC undergraduate Summer Pre-Trainee Program is a university funded summer research opportunity for underrepresented minority, economically disadvantaged, or mentally/physically impaired students interested in obtaining a PhD or MD/PhD in Biomedical or Behavioral Science related fields.

The MARC Summer Pre-Trainee Program is a summer research program that introduces underrepresented students to biomedical-related research through exposure in a laboratory setting with a MARC Faculty Mentor. The Pre-Trainee Summer Program is intended to be a stepping stone to the 2-year Trainee Program because it provides students with valuable laboratory research experience, but the summer Pre-Trainee Program is available to all students who have at least one year at UCR, as well as transfer students from community college. 

No prior research experience is necessary to apply to the MARC Summer Pre-Trainee Program.

This research is broad-based and includes faculty in the Biological Sciences; Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Cell Biology and Neuroscience, as well as in Bioengineering, Physics, Chemistry and Statistics. A student who is chosen to participate in the Summer Pre-Trainee Program will not only receive research opportunities and a substantial stipend, but also an opportunity to participate in activities that will enrich their summer experience, such as attending bi-weekly meetings with other Pre-Trainees, and participating in the MARC Summer Symposium.
 

Benefits

• 10 week summer research program for freshmen/sophomores with a faculty mentor of your choice (research must be biomedical related to human health)
• Substantial stipend of $2500 for the 10- week period
• Weekly meetings and seminars
• Opportunity to present your research at the Annual MARC Summer Symposium
   

Program Eligibility

• Must identify as underrepresented according to NIH Guidelines (must qualify in one (1) or more categories):
  • Ethnicity (verify HERE) 
  • Financially Disadvantaged (verify HERE) 
  • Physical or mental impairment (any medically documented disability; verify HERE) 
  • Disadvantaged Background (verify HERE) 
• Have an interest in scientific research
• Have an overall GPA of 2.80 or higher
• Earned a minimum of 44 university units
• Have successfully completed, or are in the process of completing, one year of chemistry, introductory biology and calculus
• Agree to conduct full-time research during the summer period
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States

Important: MARC Pre-Trainees and/or Trainees are NOT ALLOWED to enroll in summer academic courses or hold any other working position(s) outside of research commitment. Since MARC requires full-time lab participation (equates to 40 hours per week), this policy is strict in efforts to maximize student success during his/her summer research experience.