U-RISE Scholarship

The Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement, or U-RISE, is a scholarship and training program at UMBC for juniors and seniors with an outstanding academic record. The program seeks to develop a broad pool of well-trained undergraduates who complete their baccalaureate degree with skills to successfully transition into and complete a biomedical research-focused PhD or MD/PhD program. This scholarship is for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents of the United States only. The program provides scholars with:

  • Nearly full fall and spring tuition at UMBC,
  • A stipend for fees and housing costs,
  • Year-round participation in research,
  • Financial support for research materials,
  • Travel and conference funds,
  • Special advising, seminars and workshops, and
  • Guided preparation for graduate school.

This program is funded by the National Institute of General and Medical Sciences (NIGMS) of The National Institutes of Health (NIH). The U-RISE Program at UMBC is a continuation of the MARC U*STAR Program at UMBC.

More specific details on the program and eligibility can be found on our website,, and in this detailed background for U-RISE applicants. Please note: This scholarship program is for undergraduate juniors and seniors, and thus, only undergraduate sophomores and juniors should apply.

Application deadline is January 15th. All applicants will be notified by the end of March.

Award
Varies
Deadline
01/15/2025
Supplemental Questions
  1. Select your citizenship status:
  2. After graduating from UMBC, do you plan to pursue a Ph.D.?
  3. What research-focused degree would you most like to pursue?
  4. If you selected "other" above, please describe.
  5. After earning your graduate degree, is your primary goal to pursue a career in biomedical research?
  6. What is your current major?
  7. What is your current GPA?
  8. Are you currently enrolled at UMBC?
  9. If not enrolled/attending UMBC, what school do you currently attend?
  10. This scholarship is for undergraduate juniors and seniors only, and thus, only undergraduate sophomores and juniors should apply for this award. What is your current academic level? Select one:
  11. If other, please specify:
  12. What year do you expect to graduate from UMBC?
  13. Do you plan to apply for on-campus housing and live on-campus next school year?
  14. Do you currently receive support from another Scholarship Program at UMBC?
  15. If yes, please specify which Scholarship Program(s):
  16. Are you Hispanic or Latino/a/x?
  17. Racial Background (select one or more):
  18. If you would like to further specify your ethnicity or race, you may do so here:
  19. The next six questions are encouraged, but completely OPTIONAL and will be kept confidential. Please keep this in mind: A goal of U-RISE is to develop a broad pool of candidates to earn PhDs.
    • a. Are you now or have you ever been homeless?
    • b. Were you ever in the foster care system?
    • c. Were you ever eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program?
    • d. Did you or your family ever receive support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)?
    • e. Do you have a disability?
    • f. If yes, my disability(ies) fall under (choose as many as apply):
  20. We need you to provide two references who can write a letter of recommendation for you. These references should be professors in your major, a research mentor, or someone who can give us insight into your potential success pursuing a PhD and biomedical research career. Providing the names and emails below will trigger a recommendation request email, sent directly from Scholarship Retriever. You should inform your references to expect this request, and ask them to complete it by the January 15th deadline.
    • Reference #1
    • Reference #2
  21. Essay Questions for U-RISE: 1) Tell us about your research interest(s) and educational goals. What has motivated you to choose these? 2) Why do you believe a career in biomedical research is right for you? 3) How will U-RISE assist in your development as a future research scientist? 4)Describe a challenge you faced (personal, group, academic or other) related to diversity and how you managed it.
    • Please answer all four essay questions listed above, in a single document with standard margins, 12pt type, double spaced. Please title each response with the question you are answering in bold. Each individual essay answer should be no more than 500 words. Save all four responses in a single document, and upload as a PDF.
  22. Please submit your most recent unofficial transcript.
  23. Please submit your current resume or CV.
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