The Biomedical Science Careers Program (BSCP) was founded in 1991 by Joan Y. Reede, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., M.B.A, with the aim of increasing the representation of underrepresented minorities in all facets of science and medicine while helping health care institutions, biopharma/biotechnology firms, educational institutions, professional organizations, and private industry members meet their need for a diverse workforce. BSCP was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1994. The founding sponsors of BSCP are the Harvard Medical School Minority Faculty Development Program, the New England Board of Higher Education, and the Massachusetts Medical Society.
The primary objective of all BSCP activities is to identify, inform, support, and provide mentoring for academically outstanding students/fellows, particularly African-American, Hispanic/Latino, and American Indian/Alaska Native individuals. BSCP’s first student conference took place in March 1992 and was attended by 300 high school, college, medical, and graduate minority students. Since its inception, more than 13,000 minority students and 1,200 underrepresented postdoctoral trainees and junior faculty members have participated in BSCP programs. Participants range from high school to postdoctoral level and attend from across the country. Students/fellows attend from over 391 institutions spanning 39 states plus the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Belgium and Australia. They join and return at different levels throughout their academic career.