UROC Programs Overview

Summer Programs, McNair, and MARC
Deadline is February 1! 

The Graduate College supported UROC research programs (McNair, UROC-PREP, AWARDSS-PLUS, SRI, MHD, MARC, STARS) share one application, noted as the "UROC Application" in the left menu.  Our affiliate research program (noted with an asterisk *), Biosphere 2, maintains an individual program application. Visit their website for more information.  

Year-Round Programs                                     Summer-Only programs

Year-Round Programs

Ronald E. McNair Program

The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair) is a two-year undergraduate research and grad school prep program for U of A main campus students who are first-generation college students and low-income (FGLI) or who come from underrepresented backgrounds in graduation education. The goal of McNair is to prepare students for a PhD in the hopes of creating a more just academia. McNair is an interdisciplinary program, so students from any major are encouraged to apply! However, since McNair prepares students for PhD and Master's, students interested in professional degrees (MD, DVM, JD, etc.) would be best served by a different program. 

Contact: Victoria Juvera

UROC-Prep is a year-round undergraduate research and mentoring program for U of A students who come from backgrounds underrepresented in graduate education and have interest in pursuing a graduate degree (Master's or PhD).  This program is for U of A students only and is open to juniors and seniors of all disciplines, including social science, humanities, fine arts, and STEM.  There is a spring semester writing intensive component, that leads into summer research, and concludes with a one-unit graduate school preparation course in the fall.  Students interested in professional school (i.e., MD, JD, DVM) are not eligible.  

Contact: Karla Smith
AWARDSS

Access, Wellness, and Relational Determinants of Student Success: Publishing, policy, practice, Leadership and life-long learning for Underrepresented Students (AWARDSS-PLUS)
The AWARDSS-PLUS year-round program, funded by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education to The University of Arizona in collaboration with the U of A College of Education, College of Applied Science & Technology, and the U of A Graduate College, blends research mentorship, graduate school preparation, and networking for a flexible, high-quality research/preparation experience.  The primary focus of AWARDSS-PLUS is to provide upper-level undergraduate students, recent graduates, and terminal master's students with experiences conducting educational research while preparing for doctoral study.  The interdisciplinary training program's theme focuses on examining individual and societal contributions to student success.    

Contact: coe-awardss@email.arizona.edu

ASEMS
ASEMS Scholar Training Academy for Research in STEM (STARS)
The STARS program is a year-round undergraduate research and mentoring program for U of A ASEMS students who come from backgrounds underrepresented in graduate education and have interest in pursuing a doctoral degree (PhD).  Funded through a grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, STARS recruits ASEMS' students in STEM fields and assists them in developing the skills necessary to excel in their academic studies and provides assistance with admission into a doctoral program.  Students interested in professional school (i.e., MD, JD, DVM) are not eligible.

Contact: Leah Callovini 
Maximizing Access to Research Careers

Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC)
MARC is a year-round unique research, mentoring, financial, and academic opportunity for undergraduates belonging to a group considered underrepresented in biomedical research and who have interest and potential to pursue a PhD or combined PhD (e.g., MD/PhD) degree. Benefits include training, financial support and partial tuition support for the last two years of enrollment at U of A.  MARC Trainees from other schools are invited to apply to the Minimizing Health Disparities (MHD) program (noted above), which meets jointly with the U of A MARC program during the summer. NOTE: Program Begins in the Summer.

Contact: Cindy Neal 

Summer Programs

Summer Research Institute
Summer Research Institute (SRI)
SRI, funded by The University of Arizona Graduate College, is a summer only undergraduate research program for juniors and seniors (with a minimum of 1 semester before gradation).  It is open to all disciplines, including social science, humanities, fine arts, and STEM.  In addition to U of A students, SRI also accepts students from other universities dependent upon funding availability.

Contact: Karla Smith
Minimizing Health Disparities
Minimizing Health Disparities (MHD)
MHD, funded by The University of Arizona Graduate College, is a summer only undergraduate research program that focuses on health issues that affect minority communities in a disproportionate manner.  The program is open to junior or senior biomedical majors interested in continuing their education at the PhD level.  In addition to U of A students, MHD also accepts students from other universities dependent upon funding availability.

Contact: Karla Smith
Biosphere 2
*Biosphere 2 Research Experiences for Undergraduates NSF REU
U of A's Biosphere 2 facility is the site of this summer-only research experience.  By using a multidisciplinary approach (involving disciplines such as hydrology, geology, geochemistry, ecology, biology, physics, engineering, and atmospheric sciences) research teams focus on understanding how earth systems respond to environmental change.  Open to freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.

Application Deadline: March 1

Contact: Dr. Katerina Dontsova