Standing programs on the island
Alliance for Graduate Education and Professoriate
Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC)
The Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) program for undergraduate students is part of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) directed to the scientific formation of students selected among the best undergraduate science students. The scientific investigation constitutes a fundamental part of this training. The main objective of this Program is to enlarge the number of puerto ricans and other minority groups with a Ph D. in biomedical sciences. For this purpose, the Program provides stipends to participants in investigative training projects. These stipends have a duration of 24 months and begin the 1st of June of the first year of participation. More than sixty similar programs exist in different universities and the program of the University of Puerto Rico is the largest one. It has 31 undergraduate students and 91 of its graduates have continued doctoral studies, 37 of which already have completed the degree.
Research Initiative for Scientific Enhacement (RISE)
The Research Initiative for Scientific Enhacement (RISE) program offers magnificent opportunities for minority students at the bachelor's and graduate level in chemistry, biology and mathematics to participate actively in biomedical research projects.
There are also very interesting and diverse areas of research such as: structural or developmental cell biology, neurobiology, biotechnology, organic synthesis, the chemistry of natural marine products, biochemistry, photophysics, photochemistry, bioelectrochemistry, and bioinorganic chemistry.
In addition, the program will help participating students strengthen their scientific preparation through workshops, seminars, visits to laboratories, trips to national and regional meetings, and other activities.