Who should apply?

You are an ideal candidate for PREP@UC if:

• You are seriously interested in obtaining a Ph.D. degree in the biomedical sciences
• You are from a disadvantaged background, an underrepresented racial or ethnic group or you have a disability
• You have obtained your bachelor's degree in a biomedically relevant subject within the last 36 months
• You have a GPA of 3.2 or better (out of 4). Lower GPAs will be considered if there are extenuating circumstances
• You are a US citizen or a permanent resident/green card holder

Apply Now! PREP Application Form

Unsure if you qualify based on your background?

You qualify if:

• You are from one of the following racial or ethnic groups: Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
• Or you have a disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities
• Or you are from a disadvantaged background, defined as those who meet two or more of the following criteria

1. Were or currently are homeless
2. Were or currently are in the foster care system
3. Were eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program for two or more years
4. Have/had no parents or legal guardians who completed a bachelor's degree
5. Were or currently are eligible for Federal Pell grants
6. Received support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) as a parent or child
7. Grew up in one of the following areas: (a) a U.S. rural area, as designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HSRA) Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/rural-health, or (b) a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-designated Low-Income and Health Professional Shortage Areas (qualifying zipcodes are included in the file). Only one of the two possibilities in #7 can be used as a criterion for the disadvantaged background definition.

For more details see:

Notice of NIH's interest in diversity

Other Specific Eligibility details as outlined by the National Institutes of Health:

• Participants must be a citizen or noncitizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of appointment
• Participants must have a baccalaureate degree in a biomedically relevant science from an accredited college or university
• The baccalaureate degree must have been awarded no more than 36 months prior to applying to PREP
• Participants cannot be concurrently enrolled in another degree program
• Parental, medical or other well-justified leave for personal or family situations is not included in the 3-year eligibility limit, nor is national service
• Individuals selected as participants should intend to apply to research-focused biomedical doctoral programs during or immediately following completion of the PREP program