Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) at the University of Oregon

The University of Oregon (UO) Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) provides fellowship opportunities for undergraduate students from other Universities and Colleges to participate in ongoing research in Life Sciences laboratories at UO during the Summer months. Each project is a rigorous and rich immersion in a mentored, high profile science research project with a lab mentor under the direction of a research professor. We are very interested in enhancing the creativity, diversity, and talent of the next generation of life scientists in research communities. We stress active, experiential learning, because a true understanding of scientific ideas requires immersion into the processes of discovery, and it is reflected in the ability to communicate these ideas. SPUR training stresses active learning for interns and their mentors in experimental approaches, methodological skills, strategic design, creative and critical reasoning, and scientific communication. Professional and social interactions with active researchers at all levels helps interns boost personal confidence. In selecting summer interns, we seek talented, motivated, adventurous, and hard-working undergraduates who would benefit from what our program has to offer, and who perhaps would not otherwise have such opportunities.

Areas of research include biochemistry and structural biology, bioinformatics and computational biology, ecology and evolution, genetics, marine biology, molecular cell and developmental biology, neuroscience, and human biology!

For more information or to apply please visit: http://spur.uoregon.edu/

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. 

Target 2018 Program Dates: June 4th, 2018 - August 10th, 2018.

For information on participating faculty and areas of research, please visit: http://spur.uoregon.edu/faculty_participating.shtml..

Summer Undergraduate Research Program at Cold Spring Harbor

The Undergraduate Research Program (URP) at CSHL provides an opportunity for undergraduate scientists from around the world to conduct first-rate research.  Students learn the scientific process, technical methods and theoretical principles, and communicate their discoveries to other scientists.  Approximately 20 students come to CSHL each summer for the 10-week program, living and working in the exciting Laboratory environment.

URP participants work on an ongoing research project in one of CSHL’s expert labs.  Research at CSHL focuses on:

• Molecular Biology & Cancer
• Genetics & Genomics
• Neuroscience
• Plant Biology
• Quantitative Biology

In addition to doing research in the lab, URP participants attend a series of specially designed workshops, seminars and collegial events.  Workshops focus on learning particular skills, such as Python programming, while seminars cover research topics, responsible conduct of research, and career development. At the URP Symposium at the end of each summer, students present their research to the entire CSHL community.

URP participants live and work among CSHL scientists. They are invited to all Laboratory social activities – including two exclusive dinners, one with CSHL President Bruce Stillman and one with Chancellor emeritus and Nobel Prize winner James Watson.  On weekends, students are free to explore nearby New York City or the sandy beaches of Long Island.

By the end of the summer, URP participants have first-hand experience of a career in scientific research.

The 2018 URP Program will be held June 11 – August 11, 2018.

For more information or to apply please visit: https://www.cshl.edu/education/undergraduate-research-program/. Application deadline is January 15th, 2018!

If you have issues finding the application page after you register or login, use this link: https://watson.embark.com/apply/urp2018

If you have questions or are still experiencing problems, email urpadmin@cshl.edu

Summer Research Internships at MIT

The Department of Biology and Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences at MIT offer a joint 10-week research-intensive summer training program in the biological sciences, neurosciences or biomedical-related fields to advanced sophomore and junior science majors from other colleges and universities who have an interest in a research career. This summer internship program is funded in part by the National Science Foundation, the MIT Department of Biology, and generous gifts from private donors.

Program Eligibility

Only current undergraduate students studying full time in the U.S. are eligible for this summer program (no exceptions). MIT undergraduates are not eligible for this program. If you are an MIT undergraduate, see the UROP Program website. Students studying abroad for more than one semester are not eligible.

In addition applicants must:

• Be current sophomores or juniors who have successfully completed introductory courses in the biological sciences (Non-graduating seniors in a 5-year program are also eligible)
• Maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA in the science courses.
• Have demonstrated an interest in basic research and in a career in the sciences.

Preference will be given to applicants from non-research intensive colleges and universities. Foreign students are not eligible unless they are currently enrolled as full-time undergraduates at a non-research intensive college/university or minority-serving institution in the U.S. on a student visa (no exceptions).

Program Goals

The summer program is primarily designed to encourage students from under-represented minority groups, first-generation college students, and students from economically-disadvantaged backgrounds to attend graduate school and pursue a career in basic research by providing them the opportunity to conduct supervised research in a top-notch research institution in a supportive learning environment with plenty of interaction with graduate students and faculty. Over 85% of past participants have enrolled in top graduate programs within two years of completing this summer program. A number of our summer interns were also awarded Goldwater Scholarships, pre-doctoral NSF fellowships (GRFP), or Gilliam Fellowships for Advanced Study.

This summer program provides a unique opportunity for students who do not have access to top-notch research facilities at their own institution to conduct supervised research in a fast-paced environment with state-of-the-art research facilities, and to experience first hand the academic social and cultural environment at MIT.

Program Description

Students accepted into the program receive their 10-week practical training in one of over 90 research laboratories affiliated with the Department of Biology, the Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, or the Center for Brains, Minds, and Machines.

Areas of research are very diverse and include Biochemistry & Biophysics, Bioengineering, Cancer Biology, Cell Biology, Chemical Biology, Computational & Systems Biology, Developmental Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Human Genetics, Infectious Diseases, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Molecular Medicine & Human Disease, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Cognitive Sciences, Computational Neuroscience, Systems Neuroscience, Neurobiology, Plant Biology, Structural Biology, Systems Biology, or Virology.

In addition, students receive training in reading and discussing scientific research papers, are exposed to scientific writing, practice giving oral presentations on their summer research and meet with various faculty to discuss scientific careers.

Program Expectations

Students are expected to work full-time in the laboratory, to participate in weekly lab meetings, and attend weekly academic and research seminars. The weekly seminars cover such topics as applying to graduate school, giving an oral presentation, writing a research abstract, learning about various career options available to Ph.D. graduates. These seminars are designed to help students improve their presentation skills and to be more competitive graduate applicants. Students will also have the opportunity to attend departmental retreats, research symposia, research seminars, and meet with various MIT faculty members.

At the end of the program students are required to give a poster presentation on their research, submit a 5-page research summary, and a one-page personal statement about their summer experience at MIT.

Program Features

Students accepted into the program receive:

• Campus housing.
• A weekly stipend.
• Travel allowance to and from MIT (domestic travel only).
• An MIT email account.
• Subsidized pass to the athletic facilities.
• Wireless internet access.
• Access to the MIT Medical Department.
• Organized social activities and weekend outings.

Students are also invited to participate in weekend social activities, visit a local Biotech, and visit Boston and its vicinity. Students take a guided tour of Boston and the Freedom Trail, a one-day trip to Martha's Vineyard, a 4th of July barbecue, and a Boston Harbor cruise.

Students in the MIT summer program live together on campus in shared suites with kitchens. This housing arrangement promotes social interactions and provides a wonderful opportunity to forge long-lasting friendships with peers in the program.

Online Application

The online application for the 2018 program will become available on November 15th.

The application deadline is January 30, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Applicants will be notified of the status of their application by March 15, 2018.

A complete application consists of:

• The submitted online application form and CV.
• Three letters of reference from science faculty, to be submitted electronically. At least one letter must be from a research mentor or lab supervisor. Please note that applicants must include a letter of reference from their most recent research experience (including if applicable from a summer research experiences at another institution).
• Unofficial college transcript (scanned or otherwise, to be submitted electronically).

For more information please visit: https://biology.mit.edu/outreach_initiatives/UG_summer_internship. Please address any questions to msrpbio@mit.edu