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:

Georgetown University's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center logo

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, 2024 ($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 2024-2025 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

Application

Application Deadline: April 2, 2024

Apply Using This Google Form

Selections will be made by approximately the final week of April 2024