The Medical Neuroscience Summer Undergraduate Research Program is an eight-week, intensive program at Stark Neurosciences Research Institute at the Indiana University School of Medicine. The program provides a strong foundation for students to develop research skills in the field of neuroscience.
Students will get a dive deep into life as a neuroscience researcher, learning basic and translational research specialties from expert faculty mentors. This experience is designed to prepare students for graduate school. Addiction, neurodegenerative diseases, neurodevelopment, neuroimaging, ocular neurobiology, neuropsychiatric disorders, pain, sensory systems, spinal cord/brain injuries are some of the research areas represented in the program. Once the admission decisions are complete, participants will have the opportunity to select from an open lab list, which will detail specific projects. The program has a limited number of labs participating, so admission is competitive. Final decisions on admission into the program will not be made until March of each year. Participants must be actively enrolled in an undergraduate program (no recent graduates).
Participants Benefits
- $4,000 stipend
- Housing is provided for those living outside of the Indianapolis area
- Mentorship by graduate students, postdoctoral, and faculty
- Community building within the Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Medical Neuroscience graduate program, and other IU School of Medicine programs
- Present poster of summer research project at the Stark Summer Science Symposium at the end of the program
Applicants are expected to participate full-time during the eight-week program. Participants may not enroll in courses or have outside employment during the program. The program will recognize campus holidays (Juneteenth and 4th of July).
Eligibility Requirements
- Minimum of 3.25 GPA (college level)
- Current undergraduate student (we cannot accept high school students)
- Must be a U.S. resident or have current F1 Visa
Application deadline (with all supplemental materials) is January 15 of each year. The application requires college transcripts, personal statement, resume/CV, and at least one letter of recommendation (from an academic setting).
Please direct all questions regarding the summer program to mneuro@iu.edu.