The MARC U-STAR Award provides support for undergraduate students to increase access to biomedical research laboratories 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 up to a consecutive 36-month period at the final 2-3 years of undergraduate training.
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.
To be eligible for the MARC U-STAR scholarship, you must be:
- A CU Denver student
- A rising sophomore or junior
- 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
If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact Jeremiah Ramos!
Our application is open every spring semester on Handshake! All eligible students will receive an email during late January from Jeremiah Ramos with an invitation to apply. Check back here each spring semester for the current application link!
Applications are due during the last week of March each year. Please contact the MARC U-STAR Program Coordinator Jeremiah Ramos, jeremiah.2.ramos@ucdenver.edu, if you have any questions.