What is Discovery PREP?

The Discovery PREP training program is an National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded program. Discovery PREP supports individuals from diverse backgrounds who hold recent baccalaureate degrees in their goal to pursue doctorates in biomedical sciences. Discovery PREP accomplishes this mission by providing opportunities and training for recent baccalaureate degree graduates to:

• Obtain the intensive research experience needed to gain admission to, and succeed in, a nationally renowned biomedical science PhD program.
• Develop the professional skills necessary to thrive in the laboratory setting and excel in a competitive biomedical science PhD program.

Prospective Trainees

Discovery PREP is designed to support recent college graduates who have not had the advantages or opportunities to gain the research experience and skills required to initiate a career in biomedical research or who want to gain additional research experience in their current field or in a different field.

Applicants must be a recent baccalaureate graduate (within the last three years) and have majored in a subject related to biomedical science (i.e. biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, microbiology, molecular biology). Applicants must also be a U.S citizen or permanent resident.

Applications from groups underrepresented in biomedical research are strongly encouraged to apply. These include individuals from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, or individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. For more information on the NIH’s definition of underrepresented groups, visit the website.

Trainees commit to our Program for one year and are paid a monthly stipend with health and retirement benefits available during their 12-month term. It is expected that participants will apply for admission into a PhD graduate program for entry in the Fall of the year they complete the program. Successful applicants typically have a GPA greater than 3.0, demonstrated passion for research, and a strong desire to attain a PhD in Biomedical Sciences. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and although most trainees will start at Orientation during the last week of June, start dates can be customized to the needs of the trainee. Please feel free to contact our office with further questions.

Who is eligible to apply to Discovery PREP?

 Individuals who are eligible to apply are:

• Recent baccalaureate graduates with a degree in a biomedically related science no more than 36 months prior to their selection for participation in the program.
• U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
• You are from one of the following racial or ethnic groups: Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
• Or you have a disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities
• Or you are from a disadvantaged background, defined as those who meet two or more of the following criteria:
  • Were or currently are homeless,
  • Were or currently are in the foster care system,
  • Were eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program for two or more years,
  • Have/had no parents or legal guardians who completed a bachelor's degree,
  • Were or currently are eligible for Federal Pell grants,
  • Received support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) as a parent or child, and/or
  • Grew up in one of the following areas: (a) a U.S. rural area, as designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HSRA) Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer, or (b) a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-designated Low-Income and Health Professional Shortage Areas (qualifying zip codes are included in the file). Only one of the two possibilities in #7 can be used as a criterion for the disadvantaged background definition.