The new Promoting Research Opportunities for Equity in Learning (PROPEL) program, launched in August 2024 through a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Inclusive Excellence Award, promotes equitable access to academic and research opportunities for all undergraduate UMass Amherst students. The program builds upon the Biology Undergraduate Apprenticeship (BUA), which has supported equitable access to research opportunities for thousands of students since its start 15 years ago. The PROPEL program is featured in a UMass news release PROPEL Provides Mentors Access to Diverse Pool of Aspiring Undergraduate Researchers