Neuroscience Undergraduate Research Opportunity (NURO)

Opportunity Description:


The Neuroscience Graduate Department hosts the Neuroscience Undergraduate Research Opportunity (NURO), that includes internally funded positions that allow undergraduate students to explore the field of neuroscience. This 10 week summer program provides participants with a research experience in the areas of behavioral and systems neuroscience, clinical neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, computational neuroscience, developmental neurosciences, molecular and cellular neuroscience, and sensory neuroscience.

Participants will receive:

  • $6,250 stipend
  • Housing provided by program
  • $500 travel allowance for round-trip travel to the program site

Program activities include:

  • Students will gain research experience through research projects designed and supervised by faculty and lab mentors
  • Weekly workshops will help students focus on bridging their aspirations to future research careers
  • Social events with UM Neuroscience Graduate Program faculty and students. 
  • Journal clubs that will help students focus on expanding their ability to understand primary literature, examine validity, and probe with further questions
  • End of program symposium for students to present their summer project with a group of faculty, students and lab personnel​​

Program dates: May 29, 2022 - August 6, 2022

Minimum Qualifications and/or Eligibility Requirements: 

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • In accordance with NIH guidelines, applicants must be US Citizens or Permanent Residents
  • Students majoring in biochemistry, biology, biophysics, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, psychology, or related STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) discipline
  • Strong interest in pursuing a Ph.D. in the biomedical sciences
  • Must have successfully completed at least one academic year of an undergraduate program by the start of the program and not scheduled to graduate before December 2022
  • Have personal medical/health insurance coverage (including emergency room and coverage while in Michigan) for the duration of the program
  • Participants must be available for the duration of the program from start to finish. Any vacations, summer coursework, or other summer employment would need to take place outside of this time frame.
  • University of Michigan (Ann Arbor campus) students are NOT eligible

Preference will be given to:

  • Students from groups that are historically underrepresented in graduate education in the STEM field, including first-generation college students, first-generation US citizens, and students with disabilities 
  • Students from disadvantaged backgrounds and/or that have experienced financial hardship as a result of family economic circumstances

Application Process: 

You can apply online starting December 1. Applications are due January 15 and will include a research/academic statement, a personal statement, resume or CV, and unofficial transcript(s).

Letters of Recommendation: two letters of recommendation are required. One letter must be from someone at your current institution. One letter must be from someone who knows you academically (can be from your current institution or a previous institution). If one letter writer fits both criteria a second letter is still required. Letters must be uploaded by January 20, 2022.

Application Deadline: 

Saturday, January 15, 2022
For more information on this opportunity, please contact: