Pipeline in Aging Career Training (PACT)
Offered through a partnership with Georgetown University, North Carolina Central University, Hampton University, and the University of the District of Columbia (UDC)
Background
The Pipeline in Aging Career Training (PACT) program addresses enhancement of training opportunities for minorities in critical research in the aging and biomedicine workforce. Only 7.7% of the scientific community in the United States is composed of underrepresented minorities (URM), and there is a great need for URM biomedical scientists to diversify the biomedical workforce and address health disparities.
Combining the talent and resources of three Minority Serving Institutions with a neurosciences, cancer biology and biostatistics training team into a structured mentoring program will produce excellent outcomes for trainees. The goal of the PACT program is to produce cohorts of rigorously trained undergraduate students with the confidence to successfully complete undergraduate science degrees, pursue graduate level education, and pursue aging-oriented career goals illuminated through this training.
Partnership Institutions:
About the Program
This program, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Aging and the PACT partnership is open to rising college sophomores and juniors with an interest in Biology, Health Equity, Epidemiology, and Social Sciences in Aging, and/or Biomedical Research. Applicants from the Partnership Institutions are strongly encouraged to apply.
Program Features
- 8-week full-time program available beginning June 2, 2025 ($4,000 stipend); Georgetown campus housing, meal allowance, and DC Metro fare card also offered to trainees
- A kickoff of six focused days of hands-on lab training and evening seminars
- A Geroscience meeting featuring National Institutes of Aging-training specialists and experts in aging research Issues
- During the 2025-2026 academic year, continued research with co-mentors and touchpoint activities on the home campus
- Monthly PACT aging research seminars throughout the academic year
- Carefully matched and experienced mentors and peer mentors for each trainee
- Designated online workspace designed to facilitate mentoring, peer interactions, and community
Timeline for Application
Final Application Deadline
March 7, 2025
Zoom Interviews Begin
January 6, 2025
Participants Selected By
March 28, 2025
Eligibility Criteria for Participation in the Program
- Applicants to the program must be currently enrolled at Georgetown University, the University of the District of Columbia, North Carolina Central University, or Hampton University. Rising sophomores, juniors and seniors are all eligible.
- Applicants must either be a U.S. citizen, Permanent Resident, or an individual granted deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- Eligible students may include students from any of the following groups:
- Individuals from racial and ethnic groups shown by the National Science Foundation to be underrepresented in health-related sciences on a national basis.
- Individuals with disabilities — a physical or mental impairment substantially limiting one or more major life activities.
- Individuals who have/have experienced certain disadvantages (e.g. first-gen students, rural or urban education, Pell grant recipients, free/reduced lunch, and more).
- Students can explain how they qualify for the program in the PACT Application.