BRIDGES Program


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BRIDGES
MARC
RISE

	North San Diego County Bridges to the Future Program


	What is the Bridges Program?
	The federal government has determined that Hispanic/Latinos, African Americans, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders are severely underrepresented in the biomedical research workforce of the United States. The BRIDGES Program is intended to prepare students from these underrepresented ethnic and racial groups at community colleges for seamless transition to four year universities. The program is designed for students who attend Palomar College or MiraCosta College and we anticipate that most BRIDGES Scholars will transfer to CSU San Marcos. We expect these students to complete their undergraduate and graduate education and training and join the biomedical research workforce around the country.

	What are the BRIDGES Program Elements?
	The BRIDGES Program will prepare students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups for professional research careers in the biomedical sciences. The BRIDGES Program will involve students in an integrated academic and personal support environment that includes: (1) participation in an integrated program intended to increase awareness of careers in the biomedical sciences; (2) participation in several activities to strengthen academic skills; (3) participation in a Seminar Series; (4) an opportunity to conduct research at CSU San Marcos or at some approved external site; (5) comprehensive academic and career advising; and (6) participation in the Biomedical Club. The primary objective of the BRIDGES Program is to place students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups into four year universities and to support their eventual participation in biomedical research.

	Who is Eligible?
	Hispanic/Latino, African American, Native American and Pacific Islander students who plan on attending graduate school (M.S., Ph.D., or M.D. /Ph.D.). Freshman and sophomores students in academic good standing who are pursuing careers in biology, chemistry, psychology, computer science, math, and physics can apply.

	What is the BRIDGES Program Compensation?
	The Program will provide support for living expenses of $3400 for BRIDGES Scholars. In some cases the BRIDGES Program will also provide small financial awards to defray research expenses in the laboratory where the students may conduct research, and in some cases, fund travel expenses to a national scientific research symposium.