RAMP-UP | | STEP-UP | | CRISP | | PRSTP |
RAMP-UP: Research in Aging through Mentorship and Practice – Undergraduate Program
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RAMP-UP is a comprehensive three-year initiative that aims to reduce health disparities among older adults by providing mentored research experiences and education in aging and health disparities to undergraduate students, particularly those who have who have overcome challenging personal, social, economic, and/or educational circumstances and who demonstrate a commitment to serving underrepresented or disadvantaged populations.
The program offers an intensive eight-week, mentored research experience during the first two summers, with potential for a third summer of continued research or internships, alongside supplemental support and learning throughout the academic year. In addition to hands-on research, trainees receive instruction and guidance in career planning, cultural competency, MCAT/GRE prep, and scientific writing. The solid foundation that RAMP-UP provides increases the likelihood that students will complete graduate studies and enter the research workforce.
Summer Program Dates: June 2 - July 25, 2025
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
RAMP-UP Components and Benefits:
- 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 assist in guiding the mentee’s development as a researcher.
- Additional Training: Trainees will receive additional training and guidance in career planning, cultural competency, MCAT/GRE prep, and scientific writing via in-person and web-based learning activities throughout the summer as well assemi-monthly web-based activities during the academic year.
- Research Project: Guided by mentors and program faculty/staff ,trainees will collect and analyze data for a summer research project and present their research via poster presentation at the UAB Summer Expo.
Trainees will receive a stipend of $3,840 per year throughout year one, year two, and potentially year three. To apply, download the Application Summary above and follow the provided instructions, or click here to apply now. The application portal serves multiple UAB summer programs – applicants should select RAMP-UP as their preferred program choice. All letters of recommendation should be uploaded into the application portal by the recommenders.
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- US Citizens or permanent residents
- From disadvantaged backgrounds
- Rising sophomores (some exceptions may apply) attending one of the following:
- Alabama A&M University (AAMU)
- Alabama State University (ASU)
- Oakwood University (OU)
- Stillman College (SC)
- Tuskegee University (TU)
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Aspire to learn about and participate in research and pursue a career in a health-related field
- Commit to participate in in-person mentored research experience
- Agree to follow academic requirements of RAMP-UP
Online Application Materials:
- Statement of Academic Purpose
- Why would you like to participate in the RAMP-UP Program?
- What are your academic and career goals, and how will program participation impact these goals?
- What qualifications set you apart from other applicants?
- Unofficial Transcript(s)
- Current Resume
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Email addresses of your recommenders must be included in your initial application packet. Please ensure accuracy of these emails
- Letters must be confidential and submitted directly by the recommenders no later than the application deadline.
- Should be on institutional or organizational letterhead and include a signature
- Should be from people familiar with your academic work
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Program Dates: Monday, June 2 – Friday, July 25, 2025
Application Deadline: Saturday, March 1, 2025 (11:59pm CT)
Program/Application Summary
Online ApplicationOpens an external link.
Note: The application portal serves multiple UAB summer programs – applicants should select RAMP-UP as their preferred program choice.
Required Supporting Documentation:- Statement of Academic Purpose
- Why would you like to participate in RAMP-UP?
- What are your academic and career goals, and how will program participation impact these goals?
- What qualifications set you apart from other applicants?
- Unofficial Transcript(s)
- Current Resume
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Email addresses of your recommenders must be included in your initial application packet. Please ensure accuracy of these emails.
- An email request for LOR will be sent to each recommender at the email address you provide.
- Letters must be uploaded to the application portal directly by the recommenders no later than the application deadline.
- Recommendations should be on institutional or organizational letterhead and include a signature.
- Recommendations should be from people familiar with your academic work.
STEP-UP: Short-Term Research Experience Program to Unlock Potential
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Sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), STEP-UP is a biomedical research experience serving undergraduate students nationwide. UAB, along with two other universities, serves as a coordinating center for the program; however, trainees are not required to do their research on UAB’s campus. Instead, . trainees are linked with experienced research mentors at an institution of their choice for the summer experience, which may be their home institution or one near their hometown. Upon completion of the summer experience, trainees have the opportunity to apply for additional mentored research during the academic year.
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.
Application Deadline: February 1, 2025
STEP-UP Components and Benefits:
- Hands-on biomedical research experience during a 10-week summer program, with additional instruction and guidance in career planning, cultural competency, MCAT/GRE prep, and scientific writing
- $6,500 stipend
- Expenses-paid travel to present at the annual STEP-UP Research Symposium at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD
- Potential for a paid mentored research internship during the academic year
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Eligible Applicants:
- Be currently enrolled as a full-time student at a U.S. accredited 2-year or 4-year college or university. Graduating college seniors are not eligible for the program.
- Be a U.S. Citizen, non-citizen national, or legal permanent resident
- Minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA
- Commit to completing the program
- Have an interest in health-related careers
- Give proof of personal medical/health insurance coverage throughout the duration of the program. Exceptions will be made for students residing in the following U.S. territories: Marshall Island, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Saipan, and Guam.
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Program Dates: Tuesday, May 27 – Friday, August 1, 2025
Application Deadline: Saturday, February 1, 2025 (10:59pm CT)
Required Supporting Documentation:
- A personal statement of no more than 600 words
- Two letters of recommendation from academic references
- Get instructions on how to submit letters of recommendation from the Student Portal.
- Give your recommenders enough time. Ask for letters of support as soon as you start the application process.
- If a returning STEP-UP participant, at least one letter must be from your most recent STEP-UP Research Mentor.
- Remember printed copies will not be accepted.
- Transcript(s) which reflects all earned credits and grades through December. Transcripts must be uploaded to your application.
- Resume
CRISP: Cancer Research Immersion Student Program
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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 undergraduate students to hands-on 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 cancer researchers and health care professionals working to decrease cancer health disparities in the Deep South.
Program Dates: Monday, June 2 – Friday, July 25, 2025
Application Deadline: Saturday, March 1, 2025CRISP Components and Benefits:
- 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
- Trainees will be paid a stipend for summer participation
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Eligible Applicants:
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- US Citizens or permanent residents
- Undergraduate students attending one of the following institutions:
- Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC)
- Clark Atlanta University (CAU)
- Morehouse College (MC)
- Spelman College (SC)
- Tuskegee University (TU)
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
- Aim of obtaining an advanced degree (PhD, MD, etc.) with a goal of pursuing a career in cancer research and/or a cancer-related health profession
- Commit to participate in mentored cancer research experience at UAB or MSM during summer (TU/UAB students will be on the UAB campus. AUCC students will be on the MSM campus.)
- Agree to follow academic requirements of the CRISP
- Minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA
- Two letters of recommendation
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Program Dates: Monday, June 2 - Friday, July 25, 2025
Application Deadline: Saturday, March 1, 2025 (11:59pm CT)
Program/Application Summary
Online ApplicationOpens an external link.
Required Supporting Documentation:
- Personal Statement/Essay
- Why would you like to participate in CRISP?
- What are your academic and career goals, and how will program participation impact these goals?
- What qualifications set you apart from other applicants?
- Unofficial Transcript(s)
- Current Resume
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Email addresses of your recommenders must be included in your initial application packet. Please ensure accuracy of these emails.
- An email request for LOR will be sent to each recommender at the email address you provide.
- Letters must be uploaded to the application portal directly by the recommenders no later than the application deadline.
- Recommendations should be on institutional or organizational letterhead and include a signature.
- Recommendations should be from people familiar with your academic work.
Partnership Research Summer Training Program (PRSTP)
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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.
Program Dates: Wednesday May 28 – Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Application Deadline: Tuesday, April 1, 2025 by 5pm CSTPRSTP Components and Benefits:
- 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.
- Research Project: Trainees will conduct research, collect and analyze data guided by mentors and program faculty/staff.
- Weekly Seminars: Trainees are required to attend and participate in weekly research seminars.
- Cancer Education Courses: Hosted by UAB (Tues- Wed, June 17-18, 2025)
- Research Abstract & Poster: In conjunction with their mentors, Trainees will write and submit a research abstract and research poster.
- Annual Cancer Research Symposium: Trainees are required to travel to Morehouse School of Medicine Tues-Wed, July 22-23, 2025, to participate in the annual Cancer Research Symposium hosted by the Morehouse School of Medicine/Tuskegee University/UAB O’Neal Cancer Center Partnership.
Students will receive a salary of $10.00/hour for up to thirty hours laboratory research work per week.
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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 dennisotali@uabmc.edu
- Should be on institutional or organizational letterhead and include a signature
- Should be from people familiar with your academic work
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Program Dates: Wednesday, May 28 – Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Application Deadline: Tuesday, April 1, 2025 (5:00pm CT)