About the MARC Program
The MARC program at UC Irvine is is a two-year, NIH-supported undergraduate honors initiative designed to expand the number of biomedical scientists who go on to earn advanced degrees and contribute to health research. The program strengthens the skills and research training of students in the biomedical sciences to develop leaders in the scientific workforce. This program is appropriate for students interested in pursuing a PhD degree or dual PhD degrees upon completion of their baccalaureate degree.
What We Do
MARC provides funded, mentored research training integrated with the undergraduate curriculum. Through structured academic, research, and professional development experiences, the program prepares scholars for successful entry into competitive biomedical Ph.D. programs.
Over a 1 to 2-year training period, scholars receive:
- Year-round mentored research with a faculty advisor of their choosing
- Weekly research seminars and journal club sessions
- Training in scientific writing, oral presentations, and poster preparation
- A funded extramural summer research experience at another institution (typically the summer before senior year)
- Preparation to present research through oral presentations and posters at local and national conferences
- Comprehensive guidance through the Ph.D. application process, including program selection, mock interviews, and offer evaluation and acceptance.
Research Training Areas
MARC scholars pursue research across a wide range of biomedical and behavioral science disciplines, including cell biology, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, genetics, and quantitative fields such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computer science as applied to biological phenomena.
Scholars may choose a faculty research advisor from the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences, College of Medicine, School of Physical Sciences, School of Engineering, or School of Information and Computer Science.
Who Should Apply?
MARC is designed for UCI undergraduates who are serious about pursuing a research career and ready to commit to a rigorous two-year training experience. We look for students with strong academic records, a genuine interest in biomedical research, and the drive to pursue a Ph.D.
To be eligible, you must meet all of the following at the time of application:
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Enrolled full-time at UC Irvine and majoring in STEM fields with an interest in biomedical sciences
- Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher
- Have at at least two years remaining at UCI at time of application
- Commitment to pursuing a Ph.D. in a biomedical or behavioral research field
MARC is a merit-based program. Students are encouraged to apply regardless of financial aid status.
Program Requirements
Joining MARC means making a real commitment. The program is designed to give you the depth of training that Ph.D. programs expect, and that requires sustained, focused effort.
MARC trainees are required to fulfill the following responsibilities:
- Engage in research during their 2-year appointment for 10-12 hours/week during the academic year and 40 hours/week for ten weeks during the summer
- Conduct off-campus research during one summer
- Enroll in 4 units of research and in the MARC Research Seminar course all academic year quarters
- Complete all writing activities, including research papers, mock grant proposals, and statements
- Present research findings at conferences (national and regional)
Duration of Appointment
The MARC appointment typically spans the final two years at UCI (junior and senior year). Continuation depends on maintaining satisfactory academic standing, meeting research and seminar commitments, a continued commitment to pursuing a Ph.D. in the biomedical sciences, and continued availability of NIH funding.
What Scholars Receive
MARC provides significant financial support so you can focus on your training:
| Support Type | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Stipend | Up to $14,628 per year |
| Tuition Support | Up to $10,324 per year |
| Conference Travel | Funded annually |
| Summer Research | Funded (extramural experience) |
Continuation of funding depends on satisfactory performance and availability of funds from the NIH.
MARC is funded through a National Research Service Award (NRSA) training grant from the NIH. All applicants and current scholars must submit a FAFSA application each year. Your existing financial aid package may be adjusted, as the MARC stipend is considered aid received by the UCI Financial Aid office.
Contact the Office of Financial Aid for questions about how MARC funding interacts with your current awards.
For details on concurrent awards, stipend supplementation, and NRSA policies, see the Financial Support page or contact the MARC Assistant Director.
The MARC training experience goes beyond the lab. Every component is designed to build the skills, knowledge, and professional identity that Ph.D. programs look for in incoming students.
Mentored Research
Research is the foundation of the MARC experience. Each scholar works with a faculty mentor of their choosing in a lab that matches their scientific interests. Your mentor guides your research project, helps you develop your scientific thinking, and supports your growth as an independent researcher over the full two years.
During the academic year, you spend approximately 15 hours per week in the lab alongside your regular coursework. During the summer, you transition to full-time research at 40 hours per week, an experience designed to closely mirror the pace and expectations of a doctoral training environment.
Extramural Summer Research
Between your junior and senior year, MARC funds a summer research experience at an institution outside UCI. This is an opportunity to work in a new lab, learn different techniques and approaches, expand your professional network, and explore potential graduate programs firsthand. Many scholars describe this as one of the most transformative parts of the program.
Seminar Series and Journal Club
Every week, scholars attend the MARC Research Seminar, which features presentations by UCI faculty and visiting scientists on current topics in biomedical research. These sessions expose you to the breadth of science happening across campus and beyond, and they teach you how to engage critically with scientific talks, ask sharp questions, and think across disciplines.
Over the summer, in addition to the seminars, MARC scholars attend journal club sessions where scholars practice reading, analyzing, and discussing primary research literature, a core skill for any scientist entering a Ph.D. program.
Responsible Conduct of Research
NIH-required training covering research ethics, data integrity, authorship, conflicts of interest, and responsible use of human and animal subjects.
Scientific Communication Training
Being a strong scientist means being a strong communicator. MARC provides training in writing research abstracts, preparing conference posters, delivering oral presentations, and communicating complex results to both specialist and general audiences. You will practice these skills repeatedly over your two years, with feedback from peers, staff, and faculty.
Conference Presentations
Present research at national meetings annually, with full program support for registration, travel, and preparation. ABRCMS is typically the first conference scholars attend.
Grad School Preparation
Everything in MARC points toward one goal: getting you into and through a Ph.D. program. In your senior year, the program provides structured, individualized support for the graduate school application process, including:
- Identifying programs and faculty that match your research interests
- Writing and refining your personal statement and research statement
- Preparing for graduate school interviews
- Navigating funding offers and making your final decision
You will not go through this process alone. The MARC team and your faculty mentor work with you one-on-one from the moment you start thinking about programs through the day you accept your offer.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you are a UCI undergraduate with a passion for research and a goal of earning a Ph.D. in the biomedical sciences, MARC may be the program that gets you there.