The BioGradMatch Program

PROJECT SUMMARY The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that diversity in the biomedical research workforce is critical to advancing science, and supports activities that encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds in the biomedical sciences, to pursue further studies or careers in research.(1) The NIH published a Notice (NOT- OD-20-031) on 11/22/19 that African Americans are underrepresented in biomedical research and should be encouraged to participate in NIH-funded programs to enhance diversity. The NIH’s National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) mission provides leadership in enhancing the diversity of the scientific workforce.(2) This is fulfilled through education and training programs that increase understanding of biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research.(1) The SBIR/STTR research topics of interest to NIGMS related to this application are supported by the Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity. The Division encourages projects that develop skills and/or increases the efficiencies of diversity-enhancing research training programs using technologies and tools targeted to post high-school students in the biomedical research workforce pathway.(3) The BioGradMatch program is a joint venture between the Admit Academy LLC and Stillman College. We propose to increase diversity in the biomedical research workforce by matching undergraduate bioscience majors at Historically Black Colleges andamp; Universities (HBCUs) with biomedical science graduate programs at NIH-funded research institutions. BioGradMatch is adapted from the AdmitAcademy, a business model that uses behavioral economics theory to match high school students to undergraduate institutions. Guided by the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) stages of change framework, BioGradMatch targets African American bioscience undergraduates at HBCUs and uses a tailored approach (MatchFinder survey) to match students with at least 3 biomedical graduate programs. Each student will have a GradCoach to facilitate the application and admissions process. The major goal of BioGradMatch is for the targeted students to apply and be admitted into the graduate program that fits their research interests. This Phase I – STTR application will establish the technical merit and feasibility of the BioGradMatch program. Specific Aim I: Develop and evaluate the usefulness of the BioGradMatch program based on the Transtheoretical (Stages of Change) Model to increase HBCU undergraduate students’ applications to biomedical science graduate programs. Specific Aim II: Measure the factors contributing to the Stages of Change; move from Pre-contemplation to Action (submission of the graduate program application). Specific Aim III: Develop the expansion plan for the Phase II STTR project.PROJECT NARRATIVE This STTR project is a collaboration between Admit Academy LLC, a small business concern, and Stillman College, a research institution, and Historically Black College (HBCU). The BioGradMatch program responds to the NIGMS SBIR/STTR program descriptions and research topics under its Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity, to develop skills of individuals from underrepresented groups and increase the efficiencies of diversity enhancing research training programs.