Application open for The Summer Program for Underrepresented Students at Columbia University

Posted by Columbia University Medical Center on February 2, 2015

The Summer Program for Underrepresented Students, a biomedical research program at Columbia University Medical Center, is accepting applications for the 2015 summer session.

The annual internship program is designed to expand the pool of applicants from diverse and economically disadvantaged groups whose members have been underrepresented in medicine and biomedical research, including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders.

The SPURS experience is intended to provide meaningful training in biomedical research and enhance students’ ability to realize a career in biomedical research and/or medicine by pursuing an advanced degree. Each student is matched with a mentor on the Columbia faculty who specializes in his or her field of interest. In addition to specific training in their research area of interest, students receive in-depth training in biomedical research methodology, including design and analysis of experiments; critical reading of the scientific literature; presentation of scientific results at laboratory meetings; preparation of posters, abstracts and manuscripts; and career counseling.

Interns also will participate in weekly seminars and workshops that provide them with regular opportunities to discuss their research projects. In addition, meetings with staff and mentors will provide an informal setting for discussions of varied topics, including opportunities in academia and the nature and rewards of an academic career.

Housing accommodations at Columbia’s Morningside Heights campus can be arranged for a fee payable by the program participant. Financial support for housing accommodations is subject to funding availability. No meal plan is provided. A $4,000 stipend is provided for living expenses beyond the cost of housing.

To be eligible, applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or better and be interested in an academic career in biomedical research.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, visit the SPURS website.

The RFP can be found at: http://www.spurs.columbia.edu/application.html

Deadline is February 6