The MARC U-STAR Award provides support for undergraduate students who are underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences in order to improve their preparation for high-caliber graduate training at the Ph.D. level. Trainees must be honors-level students majoring in the biomedical or behavioral sciences with an expressed interest in pursuing postgraduate education leading to the Ph.D., M.D.-Ph.D., or other combined professional degree-Ph.D. after graduation. The MARC U-STAR award provides support to students for a consecutive 24-month period at the final 2 years of undergraduate training. This typically includes a summer research experience at a research-intensive institution outside the home institution.

MARC U-STAR scholars receive an award that pays for sixty percent of their CU Denver tuition, an academic year stipend, a summer stipend, money to support travel to academic conferences, and room and board for out-of-state summer research experiences. Students are expected to participate for two academic years including summers.

The U-RISE program provides Freshmen and Sophmores with opportunities and scholarships to learn more about behavioral and biomedical research.

To be eligible for the MARC U-STAR scholarship, you must be:

• A CU Denver student
• A rising junior (with approximately 60 credits)
• Eligible for honors in your major (this is typically based on your GPA)
• Interested in a research career
• Interested in earning a Ph.D. in the behavioral or biomedical sciences
• A member of a group traditionally underrepresented in behavioral or biomedical sciences.

If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact Jeremiah Ramos!