Independent guide. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or speaking for NIH or NIGMS. No registration, no official meeting business here.
TWD Programs GuideResearch training, explained

Program profile

PREP, the Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program

PREP gave recent graduates a paid year or two in a research lab, plus coursework and application coaching, before they applied to PhD programs.

By the TWD Programs Guide editors · Updated · 2 min read

No longer listed by NIGMS; awards reported terminated in 2025 Checked November 7, 2026

Mechanism
R25 research education program (last announcement PAR-22-220)
Who it serves
Recent bachelor's graduates preparing for PhD or MD/PhD programs
Today
Not on NIGMS's 2026 list. Some institutions run postbac programs with other funding; see the parent R25 for research experiences.

Short answer

PREP (Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program) was an NIGMS R25 that funded institutions to give recent bachelor's graduates one to two years of mentored research and preparation for research doctoral programs. Its last announcement was PAR-22-220. PREP awards were reported terminated in spring 2025, and PREP is not on NIGMS's current program list.

What was PREP?

PREP was an NIGMS research education program (R25) that paid recent bachelor's graduates to spend one to two years doing mentored research while they strengthened their preparation for PhD or MD/PhD programs. Participants were paid while working full time in a lab, and took part in courses, workshops and graduate application support.

The goal NIGMS stated in its 2022 announcement (PAR-22-220) was a diverse pool of well-trained postbaccalaureates who go on to complete research-focused doctoral programs.

What made PREP different from a lab job?

A research technician job also puts a graduate in a lab. PREP added structure:

  • a mentor chosen for training, not only for staffing needs
  • a defined end point tied to graduate applications
  • coursework and skills training, such as scientific writing and presentations
  • a cohort of peers and program staff tracking outcomes

What happened in 2025?

Program directors reported PREP awards cancelled in spring 2025 and believed the cancellation was nationwide. PREP is not on NIGMS's list of current programs as of November 2026.

Options for recent graduates now

See our guide to choosing a research training path, which compares intramural NIH postbac positions, technician roles, master's programs and direct PhD applications. Institutions that want to rebuild a postbac program can look at the parent R25 research experiences announcement, after checking with institute program staff.

Questions people ask

Are there still postbac research programs?

Yes, though not under the PREP name at NIGMS. NIH's own intramural labs run postbaccalaureate training, many universities fund postbac positions from research grants or their own budgets, and some use research education grants. Our student guide explains how to compare them.

How should a former PREP scholar describe it on a CV?

Name the institution's program and the years, for example "NIH/NIGMS PREP Scholar, Department of Biology, 2022–2023", and list the lab and any posters or papers. The program's later end doesn't change the experience.

Sources

  1. NIGMS Feedback Loop: PREP funding opportunity (PAR-22-220) and webinar
  2. The Transmitter: NIH nixes funds for several pre- and postdoctoral training programs (April 8, 2025)

This profile is an independent summary, not an official NIH or NIGMS description. Eligibility and deadlines are set by the current funding opportunity; read it before you apply.