RAMP-UP: Research in Aging through Mentorship and Practice – Undergraduate Program

Program Dates: June 3 - July 26, 2024
Applications are due by February 1, 2024

The UAB MHERC invites rising sophomore undergraduate students to participate in its three-year intensive eight-week Research in Aging through Mentorship and Practice – Undergraduate Program (RAMP-UP), which takes place in June and July, with additional virtual learning opportunities during the academic year.

Eligible Applicants: We are accepting applications for these paid internships from undergraduate students currently entering their sophomore year of their undergraduate degree program at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Tuskegee (TU), Alabama A&M University (AAMU), Alabama State University (ASU), Oakwood University (OU), or Stillman College (SC).

RAMP-UP provides activities focused on mentored research experiences and education in research regarding senior adults, aging, and health disparities research for underrepresented students in MSTEM fields and combines it with structured career planning and guidance to increase the likelihood that students will complete graduate studies and enter the research workforce. Download the 2024 RAMP-UP Summary and Application

Students will receive a stipend of $3,840 per year throughout year one, year two, and potentially year three. To apply, download the Summary and Application above and follow the provided instructions, or click here to apply now. All letters of recommendation should be submitted by the recommender to rampup@uabmc.edu.

Students must be:

• US Citizens or permanent residents
• Represent diverse backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research on a national basis
• Maintain a B average in all course work
• Completed their freshman year in good standing prior to the start of the research experience
• Convey their motivation to learn about and participate in research
• Rising sophomores, some exceptions may apply

Additional Materials:

• Personal Statement
  • Why would you like to participate in the RAMP-UP Program?
  • How will participation impact your academic and career goals?
  • What qualifications set you apart from other applicants?
• Unofficial Transcripts
• Current Resume
• Two Letters of Recommendation
  • Sent by the recommender to rampup@uabmc.edu
  • Should be on institutional or organizational letterhead and include a signature
  • Should be from people familiar with your academic work

Components included in program:

1. Mentored Research Experience: Participants will be matched with a mentor who has expertise in an area of interest to the Trainee related to aging research. The mentor will be responsible for guiding the mentee’s development as a researcher.
2. Additional Training: Trainees will participate in 10 hours per week of additional training including in-person and web-based learning activities during the summer program.
3. Research Project: Trainees will continue to collect and analyze data to answer their research questions, guided by mentors and program faculty/staff.

View the 2024 RAMP-UP Flyer

STEP-UP: Short-Term Research Experience Program to Unlock Potential

Program Dates: May 28 – August 2, 2024
Applications Due: Thursday, February 1, 2024

STEP-UP is a biomedical research experience for under-represented undergraduate students. This program is coordinated at UAB and two other coordinating centers. Students are linked with experienced research mentors at the institution they choose for the summer experience, which may be their home institution or one near their hometown. It is open to students across the country who are interested in exploring research careers. 

The goal of the NIDDK STEP-UP Program is to build and sustain a biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social science research pipeline focused on NIDDK’s core mission areas of diabetes, endocrinology and metabolic diseases; digestive diseases and nutrition; kidney, urologic and hematologic diseases.

Deadline for 2024 applications is February 1, 2024. 

View the 2024 Program Flyer

STEP-UP Summer Interns Receive:

• Biomedical research experience during a 10-week summer program
• $5,500 Stipend
• All expense paid travel to present at the Annual STEP-UP Symposium at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD 
• Year-round mentoring support and career development advice

Eligibility

• Be currently enrolled as a full-time student at a U.S. accredited 2-year or 4-year college or university
• Have an interest in health-related careers
• Have at least a 3.00 grade point average

CRISP: Cancer Research Immersion Student Program

Program Dates: Monday, June 3 – Friday, July 26, 2024
Applications are due by Friday, March 1, 2024

Sponsored by the Partnership of Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), Tuskegee University (TU), and the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), CRISP seeks to introduce underrepresented minority students at the undergraduate level to cancer research, including research on cancer disparities, via training, mentoring, and coursework. Through participation in designated seminars and workshops, research students will be able to enhance their knowledge, scientific techniques, and expertise in cancer and cancer research.

CRISP participants will become stronger candidates to continue their pursuit of advanced degrees in the field of cancer research and to progress to be independent investigators, ultimately leading to an increase the number of competent, well-trained minority cancer researchers and health care professionals working to decrease cancer health disparities in the Deep South.

The CRISP Summer Dates are June 3 – July 26, 2024 (eight weeks).

The summer program includes the following components, with additional virtual learning opportunities available during the academic year:

• Opportunity to work with cancer researchers and scientists
• Introduction to cancer research guided by faculty mentors
• Development of a comprehensive career plan to achieve goals
• Complete a hands-on cancer health disparities project
• Classes in Career Roadmaps, Scientific Writing, and Cultural Competency
• Prep course available for MCAT/GRE
• Opportunity to present research results at local, regional, and national meetings
• Students will be paid a stipend for their summer participation

Eligibility Requirements:

• Be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at Tuskegee University (TU), Morehouse College (MC), Spelman College (SC) or the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) with aspirations of pursuing a career in cancer research and cancer related health professions
• Have at least a 3.00 grade point average (GPA)
• Have intent to major in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), social/behavioral science, or healthcare field

Click here to apply, and follow the instructions provided.

 View the 2024 Program Flyer

Partnership Research Summer Training Program (PRSTP)  

Program Dates: Wednesday May 29 – Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Applications are due by Monday, April 1, 2024 by 5pm CST

The UAB department of Pathology, in conjunction with the MSM/TU/UAB O’CCC Partnership, invites rising sophomore undergraduate students to participate in its two-year intensive eight-week Partnership Research Summer Training Program which takes place in June and July. PRSTP provides mentored research experiences focused on cancer medicine, basic cancer research, and health disparities.

Eligible Applicants: We are accepting applications from rising sophomore undergraduate students at Alabama A&M University, Alabama State University, Miles College, Oakwood University, Stillman College, Tuskegee University, and/or graduate students from other historically black colleges/universities (HBCUs) or minority-serving institutions (MSIs), across the south, as well as the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Download the 2024 PRSTP Summary and Application

View the program flyer here.

Students will receive a salary of $10.00/hour for up to thirty hours laboratory research work per week.

Students must:

• Be US Citizens or permanent residents
• Maintain a B average in all course work
• Have completed their freshman year in good standing prior to the start of the research experience
• Convey their motivation to learn about and participate in research

Additional Materials:
Statement of Intent Essay including:

• Why would you like to participate in the PRSTP Program?
• How will participation impact your academic and career goals?
• What qualifications set you apart from other applicants?

Unofficial Transcripts
Two Letters of Recommendation:

• Sent by the recommender to sbyanparker@uabmc.edu
• Should be on institutional or organizational letterhead and include a signature
• Should be from people familiar with your academic work

Components included in program:

1. Mentored Research Experience (paid internship): We do our best to match Participants with a mentor who has expertise in an area of interest to the Trainee related to cancer research. The mentor will be responsible for guiding the mentee’s development as a researcher.
2. Research Project: Trainees will conduct research, collect and analyze data guided by mentors and program faculty/staff.
3. Weekly Seminars: Trainees are required to attend and participate in weekly research seminars.
4. Cancer Education courses hosted by UAB (Tues- Wed, June 18-19, 2024)
5. Research Abstract & Poster: In conjunction with their mentors, Trainees will write and submit a research abstract and research poster.
6. Annual Cancer Research Symposium: Trainees are required to travel to Birmingham, Alabama Tues-Wed, July 23-24, 2024 to participate in the annual Cancer Research Symposium hosted by the Morehouse School of Medicine/Tuskegee University/UAB O’Neal Cancer Center Partnership.

Past Programs