Developmental Neurobiology Undergraduate Fellowship

Opportunity Description:

The Developmental Neurobiology Undergraduate Fellowship Opportunity (DNUFO) is a summer research opportunity designed to facilitate cross-departmental collaboration. This fellowship will offer undergraduates the opportunity to take advantage of the breadth and depth of developmental neurobiology, while exposing them to research outside of their immediate interests. Fellows will also have the opportunity to foster personal networks within and outside the university.

Students will be required to perform 10 weeks of full-time research in their host labs, as well as various other responsibilities. Fellows will receive a $5,000 stipend. In addition, the host laboratory will receive funds to cover expenses related to travel, room and board related to conference attendance.

Primary Responsibilities: 

Fellows will be required to perform 10 weeks of full-time research in their host labs. The specific lab duties will depend on the project assigned to the Fellow. In addition, every Fellow must attend weekly meetings that include professional development sessions, journal club presentations, and student research presentations. Each Fellow will prepare one journal club session and present at a student research symposium. Also, fellows are strongly encouraged to attend and present a poster at one regional conference/meeting (virtual or in-person).

Minimum Qualifications and/or Eligibility Requirements: 

• No previous research experience is required but it is preferred.
• Preference will be given to students who are, or plan to be, Neuroscience majors; however, any student who has begun their general education requirement in the biological sciences is eligible to apply.
• Preference will be given to 1st and 2nd year undergraduate students. Exceptions will be made for 3rd year students if space is available.

Application Process: 

In order to apply for DNUFO, applicants must first identify a mentor who works within the general area of developmental neurobiology or closely related fields. Once a mentor is identified, the applicant will work with him/her to prepare the application. A full application will consist of the following:

• Resume or CV
• Cover Letter (stating why the applicant applied for the fellowship, why the specific mentor was selected, and how participation in the DNUFO fits into his/her career path).
• Unofficial Transcript
• Research statement (less than one-page summary of the proposed project); the candidate should work closely with their proposed mentor to develop this statement.
• Letter from the mentor (additional letters of recommendation may be included) stating that he/she will commit to the full mentor responsibilities including supervising the Fellow during the 10-week period, attending weekly DNUFO meetings as frequently as summer travel plans allow, working closely with the Fellow to prepare presentations, presenting a research seminar to the DNUFO cohort, and providing a written evaluation of the Fellow at the end of the summer. Additionally, please state whether a remote project is possible if COVID restrictions prohibit in-person research. The letter must be submitted via email to neuromajor@uchicago.edu by the application deadline. In the subject of the email, please include “DNUFO” and the applicant’s name (e.g. DNUFO Jane Smith).

Application deadline is generally in early April.