The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives.
The goal of the Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (U-RISE) program is to enhance broad participation in the biomedical research workforce. It aims to do this by strengthening research training and mentoring at the undergraduate level. The program focuses on helping students complete their baccalaureate degrees and transition into higher degree programs in biomedical research fields. It emphasizes the development of a diverse biomedical research workforce, highlighting the importance of full range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. The U-RISE program supports domestic baccalaureate degree-granting research-active organizations in developing evidence-informed approaches to training and mentoring. It encourages outreach to underrepresented groups and includes comprehensive components like didactic learning, research experience, and career development to prepare trainees for impactful careers in health-related research. Specific objectives include broad exposure to biomedical disciplines, acquisition of necessary skills for advancing research fields and careers, critical thinking, scientific reasoning, rigorous research design, safe and ethical conduct of research, teamwork, communication skills, and preparation for biomedical research careers.