The Bridges to the Future Program was established in 1992 to facilitate the transition of underrepresented minority students from associate-degree institutions to baccalaureate-degree colleges or universities and eventually to doctoral degree training programs. The mission of the Bridges to the Future Program is to make available to the biomedical science research enterprise and to the nation the intellectual talents of an increasing number of underrepresented minority group members. This initiative is financially supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The program promotes effective inter-institutional partnerships that lead to improvement in the quality and quantity of underrepresented minority students being trained as the next generation of scientists.
Van Andel Research Institute participates in a Bridges to the Future consortium coordinated through Western Michigan University. Participating schools include Grand Rapids Community College, Henry Ford Community College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Kellogg Community College, and Lake Michigan College. Western Michigan University, Wayne State University and Van Andel Research Institute serve as venues for mentored laboratory research for program participants, who spend 10-13 weeks as paid research assistants during the summer months. Participants are eligible and encouraged to present their research findings at the NIH Minority Symposium held annually in the fall. The costs of the travel, registration, and lodging are paid by the Bridges program grant.
Further information and application details can be found at the Michigan Bridges to the Baccalaureate site 
(Western Michigan University).
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