2016 National Summer Research Opportunities in stem

Commitment to Minority Student Representation

The STEP-UP Program provides hands-on summer research experience for high school and undergraduate students interested in exploring research careers. The overall goal of STEP-UP is to build and sustain a biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social science research pipeline focused on NIDDK’s core mission areas of  diabetes, endocrinology and metabolic diseases; digestive diseases and nutrition; kidney, urologic and hematologic diseases.

The STEP-UP Program provides research education grants to six institutions to coordinate three High School STEP-UP Programs and four Undergraduate STEP-UP Programs. STEP-UP is particularly interested in increasing the participation of students from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research on a national basis, including individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, and individuals with disabilities.

Eligibility

• 
  Be a U.S. Citizen, non-citizen national, or legal permanent resident
  
• 
  Be 16 years of age or older and either be enrolled in high school or an accredited U.S. college or university, or plan to be enrolled in the fall
  
• 
  If a high school student, be in their junior or senior year of high school, during the application period
  
• 
  If an undergraduate student, be currently enrolled as a full-time student at a U.S. accredited 2-year or 4-year college or university
  
• 
  Have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale), although exceptions may be granted
  
• 
  Have personal medical/health insurance coverage throughout the duration of the program (exceptions will be granted for students living in the Pacific Islands)
  

Applicants must also meet one or more of the following criteria:

• 
  Come from racial and ethnic groups that have been shown by the National Science FoundationExternal Link Disclaimer to be underrepresented in biomedical sciences on a national basis
  
• 
  Come from a disadvantaged background as defined by annual fa​mily income​​and/or be the first generation in their family to graduate from a four-year college or university
  
• 
  Have been diagnosed with a disabilityExternal Link Disclaimer that substantially limits one or more major life activities
  

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) through the Office of Minority Health Research Coordination invite students to submit their application for the Summer Research Training Program.

• 
  Undergraduate students who have completed at least 1 year at an accredited institution
  
• 
  U.S. Citizen or permanent resident status
  
• 
  Minimum of 3.0 GPA
  
• 
  Health Insurance coverage
  

Our highly competitive Scientific Summer Scholars Program (June 2 - August 8, 2014) provides research training opportunities for talented students to gain research experience, enhance their preparation in applying to top biomedical graduate and professional programs, and expose them to NIBR's approaches to patient-driven research. Scholars work on their own project with the guidance of a NIBR scientist. NIBR's research covers many disease, science, and technology areas that allow us to closely match your specific interests with one of our labs.

Programming: As a Scholar, you will work on your own project with the guidance of a NIBR scientist as well as participate in professional development and social activities (events vary depending on the site):

• 
  Research project: designing and executing experiments; analyzing your own data, learning new experimental techniques, and building your understanding of scientific concepts
  
• 
  Scientific development: learning about drug discovery projects from experts; showcasing your results to the broader NIBR community; evaluating scientific articles in a fun and interactive setting
  
• 
  Professional development: engaging in graduate/professional school preparations; cultivating your network with fellow scholars and NIBR scientific leaders; gaining insight into how our community channeled their scientific interests into various career objectives
  
• 
  Social activities: fostering collegial interactions during a scavenger hunt at a local museum, welcome and farewell events, and NIBR-wide ice cream socials
  

Students who have completed their sophomore year in college or university but not have graduated from a Master's degree program prior to the start of the scholars program, are welcome to apply. Ph.D. and M.D. students are not eligible for this program. Applicants must attend a university in a U.S. state or territory and be eligible to work in the United States. Students should have a strong desire to pursue graduate-level education in biological sciences, chemistry or computational sciences and have at least a G.P.A of 3.3 out of a 4.0 scale.

More information: https://www.nibr.com/careers/students-scholars