MARC U-STAR Program

The MARC Research Scholars program at the University of North Dakota is an NIH-NIGMS funded research training scholarship program for high achieving junior students.

Our program is designed to support students through their undergraduate graduation.

Application Requirements

• GPA > 3.0
• Majoring in the sciences (e.g., Psychology, Biology, Nursing, Nutrition, Engineering or Aerospace Sciences)
• Goal to pursue graduate study

Benefits of Being a MARC U-STAR Scholar

MARC U-STAR Scholars receive a number of valuable benefits, including:

• 60% of tuition and fees paid during the Junior and Senior years
• Stipend of $1,114/month x 12 months
• Funds for Approved Travel to Scientific Meetings
• Academic and Research Advising 
• Research Learning Community Activities 
• Mentored Summer Research Experience (Paid Housing, Travel & Per Diem)
• Advisement for Applying to Graduate School

MARC U-STAR Scholar Expectations

MARC U-STAR Scholars are held to high academic and ethical standards. The following are the expectations and guidelines for MARC U-STAR Scholars at UND.

Academic Year Research Mentoring

• Scholars will spend Fall and Spring semesters working with a full-time research mentor. Scholars will interview 3 potential mentors for a potential match.
• Formal Research Mentoring begins the first week of October.
• The rate of pay is $1,114 per month, for up to 10 hours of work with a research mentor per week.
• MARC Scholars are expected to submit one peer-review manuscript for publication or give one Research Presentation during each academic year within the MARC U-STAR program.

Summer Research Experience

• MARC trainees will spend 8-10 weeks working with a full-time research mentor during the summer months within a research intensive environment.
• MARC Scholars give one Research Presentation and submit one peer-reviewed manuscript for publication following the 8-10 week Summer Research Experience.

 MARC U-STAR Team

These are the faculty and staff who facilitate the MARC U-STAR program at UND.

MARC U-STAR Advisory Committee

This program is funded by NIH-NIGMS Grant 1T34GM122835-01 (06/01/2017 – 05/30/2022)