Merck is committed to promoting the development and training of future leaders in science and biomedical research, particularly among under-represented groups, by stimulating interest among undergraduate students to pursue graduate study in the health sciences and by creating opportunities for graduate and postdoctoral training in a variety of basic and clinical research areas.

Examples of Merck-sponsored programs appear below.

UNCF/Merck Science Initiative

Despite statistics that suggest more than 50 percent of new entrants into tomorrow's work force will be minorities, African-Americans currently hold less than 2 percent of PhDs in biology and chemistry. To help address this imbalance, Merck joined with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to help expand the pool of world-class African-American biomedical scientists and in so doing, to achieve the complementary goals of enhancing economic competitiveness and social diversity in the United States. Launched in 1995, the initiative is a 10-year nationwide awards program funded with a $20 million grant from Merck.

Each year, the UNCF/Merck Science Initiative provides scholarship and fellowship support to 37 outstanding African-American students who are pursuing studies and careers in chemistry and the life sciences. Awards are made at the undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral levels, and administered by The College Fund/UNCF. Awardees are selected through a national competition open to all eligible students at colleges and universities throughout the United States. The awards provide financial support, hands-on training, mentoring relationships and institutional support to help the UNCF/Merck Fellows devote their attention to education.

Fellowships are awarded based on an individual student's demonstrated academic excellence as well as his or her potential in the field of biomedical research. To date, more than 300 students, half of them women, have received fellowships.

Ten years into the program, we recognize that there is still a long way to go before African-Americans are fully represented in the ranks of American scientists. However, Merck and UNCF remain committed to making this a reality. To this end, Merck announced in June 2005 that it would continue its partnership with UNCF through 2010.

ACCF/Merck Adult Cardiology Research Fellowship Awards

More than 130 physicians have received The American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF)/Merck Adult Cardiology Research Fellowship Awards since the program began in 1981. Each year, six cardiology trainees who show exceptional promise as future leaders in cardiovascular medicine are named "Merck Fellows of the American College of Cardiology." Award recipients are selected based on the scientific merits of their proposals, the commitment of their faculty mentors and the reputation of their research labs. The ACCF administers all aspects of the program, which receives its funding entirely from The Merck Company Foundation - an investment of millions of dollars during the past 25 years. Merck recently announced renewed support for the program through 2008.

A 2004 survey of past ACCF/Merck Fellows found that most are thriving in their careers, and that many have contributed to important advances in cardiovascular medicine. Fifty-six percent of survey respondents work in a medical school or university setting, while 32 percent work in cardiovascular group practice. More than half of the respondents (64 percent) devote at least some time to teaching, helping train future leaders in this field.

NACME Scholarships

Merck plays a leadership role in industry efforts to increase African-American, American Indian and Latino representation in engineering through the Company's support of the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME), the largest U.S. private source of scholarships for minorities in engineering. Created in 1974 to address concern about under-representation of minorities in engineering and science-based careers, NACME has provided more than $100 million in financial support to more than 18,000 students at 160 colleges and universities.

The Merck Index Women in Chemistry Scholarships

Merck established The Merck Index Women in Chemistry Scholarships in 2007 to encourage women to pursue advanced degrees in synthetic organic or medicinal chemistry. Merck will present up to five annual scholarships of $5,000 each to outstanding women chemists who are beginning their first year of study in a chemistry Ph.D. program. The awards will be administered by the editorial staff of The Merck Index, Chemistry's Constant Companion®, which was first published in 1899. See http://www.merckbooks.com/mindex or email merck_index@merck.com for more information.