R-25 Training Grant in NHLBI-Focused Research for Minority Students

The R-25 training grant is funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This resource funds stipend support (and housing, if appropriate) for a limited number of minority undergraduate students and medical students from UT Southwestern Medical Center and other institutions to conduct research at UT Southwestern in areas of interest to the NHLBI. These areas include research to promote the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, and blood diseases.

Applicants are chosen based on their academic credentials and the areas of research interest proposed.

The program partners students with outstanding research mentors exploring research topics of interest to the NHLBI. Although mentored research is the centerpiece of the program, specific lectures and curriculum elements are structured to deepen the training and knowledge bases of participants.

Ideally, undergraduate participants will return for at least two successive years, engaging in research with the same mentor prior to matriculation into medical school.

Essential Elements of the Program

Eligible candidates are:

  • Undergraduates with an interest in biomedical research, or
  • Medical students enrolled at an accredited U.S. medical school
  • Students eligible for support include underrepresented minorities, individuals with disabilities, or individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. The objective espoused by the NIH for this program is to increase the participation of individuals from these groups in the U.S. biomedical research workforce.
  • Research may be in clinical, translational, or basic areas, but must be focused in areas of NHLBI interest (cardiovascular disease, blood disorders, pulmonary disease)
  • Didactic course work is presented to develop the fund of knowledge pertaining to the conduct of research by participating students
  • Undergraduate participants will return for at least two successive summers, ideally with the same mentor and research group
  • The application deadline for 2011 has passed. Please check back for the application deadline and dates for the next program. The previous application deadline was Feb. 9, 2011, and the research period was May 31-August 5.
  • The mentor and research group will be selected by the program directors after discussions with chosen students based on review of their application materials
  • Stipend support and housing is available for participants