MARC Scholars Program
The MARC Scholars Program at the University of West Florida (UWF) is a grant-funded training program sponsored by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and National Institutes of Health (NIGMS/NIH). This program supports talented undergraduate students from underrepresented groups who plan to pursue a PhD or MD/PhD and a research career in physics, biological sciences or chemical sciences and who have a demonstrated interest in diversification of the research workforce.
Program Overview
As the preeminent undergraduate research opportunity, the MARC Scholars Program supports full-time juniors and seniors who intend to pursue a Ph.D. or MD/Ph.D. The program is not intended to support students who plan to pursue an MD only.
The MARC Scholars Program models the Chemistry Scholars Program's key components with additional emphasis given to the development of biology, chemistry, mechanical engineering or physics research talent. If funding continues from NIGMS/NIH and Scholars remain eligible for the program, their appointment will be renewed for a second year of undergraduate study. Scholars are limited to two years of support
Scholars must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA each semester to remain eligible for participation in the program. Guided by the MARC Scholarship Program staff, each Scholar must meet all requirements for program activities, course work, and various group meetings. Each Scholar will complete a sustained research project with a faculty researcher. Research begins the summer prior to the Scholar's junior year and continues during the following two academic years. Scholars are required to participate in off-campus research during the summer between their junior and senior years. Scholars must successfully complete a Research Conduct and Ethics course and a three-credit scientific writing course.
Recruitment targets highly capable sophomores from UWF and eligible students who have transferred or plan to transfer to UWF from community colleges and other higher education institutions. Members of the MARC U*STAR Selection Committee will review eligible applications to select students for interviews. After completing interviews, members of this committee will make the final selection of Scholars and decisions about renewal or dismissal of Scholars. Applications for Spring 2023 are closed. Check back in Spring 2024 or contact Meagan Russell at mrussell@uwf.edu for any questions.
2023-2024 MARC Scholars
For more information, please contact:
Karen Sinclair Molek, Ph.D.
Chair and Professor, Chemistry Department
Director, MARC U*STAR Scholars Program
Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering
Building 58C, Room 204A
ksinclair@uwf.edu
850.474.2799
Meagan Russell
Program Coordinator
MARC U*STAR Scholars
Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering
Building 58C, Room 204C
mrussell@uwf.edu
850.857.6244
