The program supports investigators who sponsor a minority individual to participate in an ongoing research project, be that person a high school student, undergraduate student, graduate research assistant, postdoctoral candidate, or staff or faculty member. Principal investigators mentor minority researchers for 3 months to 2 years, encouraging them to pursue their own careers in biomedical research. To qualify for the award, the minority individual must illustrate that his or her experience is an integral part of the ongoing research as outlined in the parent grant. The experience must also require interaction with individuals on the parent grant and an intellectual contribution to the progress of the project. Principal investigators receive these funds as administrative supplements to their parent grants in return for their mentoring efforts.
Some applicants also qualify for awards to cover travel and supply costs.
This program has not only fostered numerous careers in research, but it has also established a foundation to launch the beginning investigator into the research arena. Maddox recognized the efforts of the late Dr. Gordon Guroff in establishing the program.