The MARC (Minority Access to Research Careers) Program offers research training to participating students to help prepare them to compete successfully for entry into graduate programs leading to the Ph.D. in the biological sciences or into a combined MD/Ph.D. program. Funded through the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, the MARC program's goals are to increase the numbers and capabilities of minority scientists and to prepare students for careers in biomedical research. MARC is an honors program and acceptance into the MARC program is competitive and based on above average academic preparation and performance.

During the academic year, after successfully completing the summer program, students conduct research in UCSC’s chemistry and biology laboratories where they participate in new or on-going research. Course credit can be arranged by approval of faculty. Students are encouraged to attend national student conferences to present their findings.

The program provides a monthly stipend, a large portion of tuition and fees, research supply allowance, paid travel to conferences, a GRE prep course, paid travel to graduate schools, placement in a research lab, program support for Graduate School Applications, led study group sessions, finals study parties, and tutoring.

Each new cohort is picked annually. Applications for the following summer are due Feb. 15th each year. Undergraduate students who apply for the MARC program will simultaneously apply for the CAMP and IMSD programs.

Faculty Director: Prof. Alan Zahler
Staff Director/Program Coordinator: Malika Bell

Program home page: http://marcmbrs.ucsc.edu/