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Call for Applications for Summer 2025 open soon

Multi-Institutional Summer Undergraduate Research Program

to Promote Diversity and Excellence in Sleep and Circadian Research Careers (R25)

Supported by NIH R25 NS 125603 

the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Integrative Physiology 

at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ

The primary aim of this multi-institutional summer research, educational, and professional development training program is to prepare undergraduate students from underrepresented populations in the U.S. Biomedical Sciences (UBR trainees) for advanced academic training in PhD and MD/PhD programs, foster their pursuit of sleep and circadian science careers, and to promote a diverse workforce.

Training Program Leadership

• Kenneth P. Wright Jr., PhD     PI/PD/Leadership team and Executive Committee member Â鶹ÊÓƵ     
• Joseph S. Takahashi, PhD     Leadership team and Executive Committee member  University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
• Gianluca Tosini, PhD              Leadership team and Executive Committee member  Morehouse School of Medicine
• Christina Alston, PhD             Executive Committee member Â鶹ÊÓƵ 
• Anita Shelgikar, MD, MHPE   Executive Committee member  University of Michigan School of Medicine

Advisory Board

• Sonia C. Flores, PhD            University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
• Girardin Jean-Louis, PhD     University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
• Ruth O’Hara, PhD                 Stanford University School of Medicine
• Allan I. Pack, PhD                 University of Pennsylvania/Perelman School of Medicine

Participating Institutions in alphabetical order:

• Harvard Medical School/Harvard University
• Morehouse School of Medicine
• Northwestern University/Northwestern School of Medicine
• Stanford University/Stanford University School of Medicine
• Â鶹ÊÓƵ (Lead site)
• University of Michigan
• University of Pennsylvania/Perelman School of Medicine
• University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
• Washington University St. Louis

Summer Program Information

Each year the program will recruit 12 UBR trainees and provide high quality research, core educational and professional development experiences to prepare trainees for careers in sleep and circadian science. The multi-institutional effort will provide access to training in all regions across the United States creating a community of expert mentors. The training, research, and mentoring outcomes from this R25 program will foster diversity and inclusivity in the scientific workforce and will contribute important scientific knowledge to our understanding of these critical biological processes.

The training program is unique as it provides UBR trainees mentoring by more than 30 faculty from NIH T32 programs and experts in sleep and circadian science conducting research relevant to the mission of the NINDS and the NIH broadly.

This innovative training program addresses training and diversity efforts set forth by the NIH by: fostering the careers of highly talented scientists from diverse backgrounds who will help to further NIH's mission, providing competencies and breadth of expertise to the next generation of biomedical investigators, increasing the number of diverse investigators that conduct sleep and circadian science, promoting science careers of women from UBR backgrounds and training mentors on best practices to foster career pathways for UBR trainees.

Participating institutions benefit from increased team diversity which affords innovative ideas and distinct perspectives.

Ultimately, the training, research and mentoring outcomes from this R25 will foster diversity and inclusivity of the scientific workforce and contribute important scientific knowledge.

Public Health Relevance

Sleep and circadian rhythms are fundamental regulators of neurological function and their dysregulation cause, promote, and exacerbate neurological and other health problems. This educational program will increase the number of undergraduate students from underrepresented populations in the U.S. Biomedical Sciences for advanced academic training and foster their pursuing sleep and circadian science careers to promote a diverse workforce.

Diversity Statement

This R25 training program is committed to justice, equity, diversity and inclusive excellence in the training of future biomedical research scientists, including women. We welcome applications from all UBR undergraduate trainee groups (e.g., minorities, students with disabilities, and students from disadvantaged backgrounds) for this training effort. We believe that innovation in our research and training efforts is enhanced by unique perspectives and viewpoints. We are committed to providing a strong respectful and supportive community and the skills and resources to help our trainees meet their career and personal goals.

2023 NIH R25 Sleep and Circadian Scholars Pictured with Some of the Mentors

2024 NIH R25 Sleep and Circadian Scholars Pictured with Some of the Mentors

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be current or recently graduated undergraduate students from underrepresented populations in the U.S. Biomedical Sciences*
• Have completed at least two semesters of university; students who have completed an undergraduate degree in the past year from the application due date and have not attended a PhD or MD/PhD program are eligible
• Have a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or above;
• Demonstrate interest and potential to pursue graduate study toward a PhD or MD/PhD
  • (Note: The Multi-Institutional Summer Undergraduate Research Program is not designed for students pursuing professional training for careers in clinical medicine, clinical psychology, or the allied health professions.)
• Be at least 18 years old by the start date of the program.
• Be a U.S. citizen or non-citizen national of the United States, or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence
  • (Note: Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible)
• Be able to devote full-time effort over the entire duration of the summer program

*We use for determining UBR status as being one or more of the following:

•  Racial/ethnic minority
  • Blacks or African Americans
  • Hispanics or Latinos
  • American Indians or Alaska Natives
  • Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders 
• Individual with a disability
  • physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
• Individual from a disadvantaged background based on two or more of the required criteria (e.g., first generation college student, grew up in a qualifying U.S. rural area)

Trainees will be exposed to intensive laboratory experiences, career counseling and professional development activities to provide a strong foundation for pursuing an academic career. The program will emphasize application of sleep and circadian science principles to problems of basic and clinical importance to the NIH (e.g., neurological disorders).

What does the summer research program offer?

• Summer stipend - $5,280
• Housing allowance - $2,800
• Travel costs from host institution to Colorado Sleep and Circadian Summer School and housing allowance at the summer school
• Host institution provided travel support from trainees home to the institution
• Free student memberships generously provided from the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms and the Sleep Research Society

Program Calendar Summer 2025

• June 15-Aug 1
• • Summer research experience at host institutions
• Aug 3-Aug 9
  • Summer school at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ

Faculty Mentors and Summer Research Projects

Each summer, faculty from three participating institutions will accept up to four UBR trainees.  Faculty and participating institutions for this year are listed in the application materials. In 2025 the following institutions will be hosting:

• Harvard Medical School
• Stanford University
• University of Michigan

Applications for Summer 2025 will open in the Fall 2024.

Please email Prof. Ken Wright with any questions - Kenneth.wright@colorado.edu