Integrated Biological Sciences Summer Research Program
Opportunity Description:
Interested in a research career? Experience the richness of the research environment at a premier research university with this hands-on summer program. You’ll get an invaluable glimpse of what graduate-level study and research careers might entail, while being surrounded by a supportive community of peers and stimulated by extra activities that help add meaning, encourage critical thinking, and allow you to explore and prepare for your post-graduate future.
Biological Interactions is designed for undergraduates who might not otherwise have this kind of research opportunity. There is no cost for the program and participants receive a stipend, summer housing, and travel to and from Madison. Underrepresented minority, low-income, and first-generation college students are strongly encouraged to apply, as are students from smaller institutions without broad research facilities.
Program participants live close to campus and perform full-time research for 10 weeks under the guidance of trained research mentors. Weekly professional development seminars allow participants to learn from each other’s experiences and contextualize their research projects within the overarching theme of predicting phenotype. Additional events and activities build community, support career and graduate school exploration, and help students build useful skills, such as science writing. Students present their projects at a final symposium and write research reports to summarize their findings. Other support and benefits include:
- $6,000 stipend
- Housing in an apartment near campus included
- $600 food allowance
- Health insurance (if not already covered)
- Access to campus libraries and recreational facilities
The 2022 Theme: Phenotype, Genotype, and the Environment
There is a seemingly endless amount of variation found in living organisms which results in many and varied phenotypes. This variation allows individuals to adapt and thrive in ever changing, complex environments. Science has made great gains in cataloging the building blocks of diversity through genome sequencing efforts; however, an organism’s phenotype is not always what scientists would predict due to the interaction of the genome and the environment. The NSF-REU Biological Interactions Summer Research Program seeks to help diverse undergraduate students to explore biology through observation of phenotype and to investigate the influence of genotype, environment and interactions of the two on phenotype.
2022 program dates: May 31 – Aug 6, 2022
Minimum Qualifications and/or Eligibility Requirements:
Interested applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
- Strong career interest in biological science research
- Undergraduate student status for Fall 2022
- U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status
- Grade point average of at least 3.0 (see Frequently Asked Questions for more info)
Students who are African American, Hispanic, Native American, Southeast Asian, Native Alaskan or Native Pacific Islander OR who are from low-income homes OR who are the first in their family to attend college OR who attend small liberal arts institutions without broad research facilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application Process:
The application form can be found here. During the application process you will need to provide:
- Name and email address for at least one person (faculty member preferred) who will provide a letter of recommendation. Two letters of recommendation are allowed.
- Electronic version of your college transcript (scanned hard copies if electronic transcripts are not available); unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Three short personal essays (3900 character maximum per essay)
- How would your participation in a summer research program at UW–Madison contribute to your future goals and career plans?
- Which area(s) of research are of interest to you and why?
- Although previous research experience is not required to be considered for participation in our summer program, please describe any past research experience. This may include research experiences as part of a course if you do not have any other research experiences.
Selection and laboratory placement of students will take place in January, February, and March. Applicants who are not placed will be notified by the end of April.
Application deadline: February 15, 2022