Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas received a $264,561 Project Grant award from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859), effective May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2031. The G-RISE (Graduate Research Initiative for Student Excellence) program delivers a comprehensive doctoral-level training initiative designed to increase diversity within UNLV's biomedical PhD programs by recruiting and supporting students from underrepresented groups, including individuals with disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The program provides financial, educational, and psychosocial support to doctoral trainees while intentionally cultivating a culture of self-efficacy and academic success.

The program implements four primary service components: targeted recruitment of underrepresented students from UNLV's undergraduate population and external institutions; enhanced support mechanisms through collaboration with the UNLV Graduate College and the existing Grad Academy; specialized biomedical research training to prepare students for 21st century research environments; and faculty mentor development programming to improve mentoring effectiveness for diverse doctoral students. Services include a two-month summer bridge program preceding students' first two years of doctoral study, featuring hands-on research activities, fellowship application feedback, and faculty orientation. These coordinated efforts address the identified gap in doctoral-level biomedical program diversity at UNLV despite the institution's status as a minority-serving institution at the undergraduate level.