Since 1994 the Merck/AAAS Undergraduate Science Research Program (USRP) has awarded grants to support undergraduate interdisciplinary research in the sciences. The 2009 grant competition was the last.

The Merck/AAAS partnership was a pioneer in designing a grant program that focused on interdisciplinary collaboration in biology and chemistry at primarily undergraduate institutions. The USRP grants have been awarded to over 200 colleges and universities and have supported over 2,000 undergraduates, providing them the opportunity to work with and learn from faculty in the laboratory and engage in basic research.

The Program’s support is provided by The Merck Company Foundation, which will have contributed over $11,500,000 when the grant term ends in 2011.