NIDDK Short-term Education Program for Underrepresented Persons (STEP-UP)
Undergraduate Program
PLEASE NOTE: The application deadline is March 1, 2008. No applications will accepted after this date.
Program Purpose:
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease’s STEP-UP Program is designed to provide short-term research education for high school and/or undergraduate students from racial and ethnic minority or disadvantaged backgrounds to expose them to research within the mission area of NIDDK.
The Program exposes students to research in areas of diabetes, endocrinology, metabolism, nutrition, obesity, digestive, liver, urologic, kidney, and hematologic diseases.
The Program provides support for ten to twelve consecutive weeks of basic or clinical research education and training during the summer provided by experienced faculty currently active in research related to the mission of NIDDK.
Eligible Students (At the time the research begins):
- Undergraduate students who have completed at least one year at an accredited institution
- U.S. Citizens, non-citizen nationals, or legal permanent residents
Provisions:
- Student Participation Allowance and housing allotment ($4000)
- Education-related expenses fee provided to the research mentor
- All Travel expenses to the Annual Undergraduate Research Training Symposium in May at the NIH
- All Travel expenses to the Annual Undergraduate Scientific Session and Research Presentations in August in Bethesda, Maryland
- Limited housing is available under special circumstances (Paid from the students Participation Allowance)
Location and Duration:
- The research experience is provided nationally by experienced investigators in their laboratories for 10 full-time consecutive weeks during the summer.
- The student will be matched with a research mentor at their choice of a research institution when possible.
- There are four National STEP-UP Coordinating Centers where STEP-UP students may choose to do their research. These institutions offer specific tailored research programs. Limited housing may be available at the student’s expense. Please contact the Program Coordinators for each these programs (see STEP-UP Coordinating Centers) for additional information.
Application Process
A complete application to the NIH STEP-UP program includes:
- Complete application
The on-line application is offered in hopes that it will make the STEP-UP application process as easy and convenient as possible for you and to insure timely receipt of the application before the March 1st deadline.
If you are unable to submit an on-line application, please download the printable PDF application and mail the application to the address indicated at the end of the application.
Submit only one application. DO NOT submit a PDF application by mail if you submit an application on-line.
Online application
Printable PDF
2. Letters of Recommendation
Two Letters of Recommendation are required from individuals who are familiar with your academic abilities and accomplishments. In the application, you will be asked to provide the names and contact information for the two people who will write letters for you. Students should request Letters of Recommendation at least one month in advance to insure timely completion and receipt of the letter. The reference provider should mail the letter to the address indicated below.
3. Official Academic Transcripts
An official academic transcript must be submitted in an envelope, sealed by the appropriate school official, to the address indicated below.
Printed applications, Letters of Reference and Transcripts should be mailed to:
Ms. Jennifer Curry
Program Specialist
Office of Minority Health Research Coordination
II Democracy Plaza, Room 648A
6707 Democracy Blvd.
Bethesda, MD 20892-5454
TEL: (301) 594-9649
EMAIL: curryj1@niddk.nih.gov
Applications will be accepted beginning November 15th, 2007
Application deadline is March 1, 2008
STEP-UP Coordinating Centers
Virginia Commonwealth University
(Richmond, Virginia)
Mr. Kevin Harris
Program Coordinator
STEP-UP Undergraduate Program
Virginia Commonwealth University
P.O. Box 980124
Richmond, VA 23298-0124
Phone: 804.827-2087
Fax: 804.828-1085
Email: kaharris@vcu.edu
University of Maryland Baltimore County
(Baltimore, Maryland)
Ms. Cynthia Hollis
Program Coordinator
STEP-UP Undergraduate Program
Department of Biological Sciences, BS #477
University of Maryland Baltimore County
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, MD 21250
Email: chollis1@umbc.edu
Phone: 410-455-8071
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
(Los Angeles, California)
Ms. Michelle Kunz
Program Coordinator
STEP-UP Undergraduate Program
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Dept. of Pediatrics & Molecular Microbiology/Immunology
University of Southern California
4650 Sunset Blvd, MS 84
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Phone: 323 361 8615
EMAIL: mkunz@chla.usc.edu
Pennsylvania State University
(Hershey, Pennsylvania)
Dr. Gail Matters
Program Coordinator
STEP-UP Undergraduate Program
Dept of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, H171
Penn State College of Medicine
500 University Dr
Hershey, PA 17033
Phone: (717) 531-4098
Email: gmatters@psu.edu
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