Summer Research Program
Overview
The purpose of the program is to give undergraduate students from any institution who have an interest in pursuing a future career in biomedical research the opportunity to work in a laboratory and perform a research project during the summer. The 10-week program consists of students working closely with Texas A&M University College of Medicine faculty on research projects in basic or clinical science disciplines. Selected participants are matched with a faculty mentor in their area of interest and will assist with a research project gaining insight into the development and implementation of biomedical research.
The program also features group activities including weekly meetings in which principles of scientific investigation, ethical aspects of human and animal experimentation, and career development will be discussed. Students will also attend scientific seminars and workshops. Faculty mentors are located on the College of Medicine campuses in Bryan-College Station and Houston.
We look forward to your application and seeing you on campus next summer.
Brett Mitchell, PhD, FAHA
Program Dates
Application deadline: February 1, 2025 (11:59 PM)
10-week program: May 19 - July 25, 2025
Expectations
The objectives of this program are substantial and rigorous and require full-time (40 hours/week minimum) commitment. Participants are expected to be present for and to complete the entire 10-week program, including all mandatory seminars, and present their projects at Research Day.
Research Day
Research Day is the accumulation of all the hard work participants have put in throughout the summer. It is a one-day event where participants present their research to judges, students and faculty. Awards will be given for the best presentations. Research Day also includes lunch and a keynote speaker.
Booklet
Stipend Information
Selected program participants will receive a stipend of $4,000 for the 10-week program period. In addition to this stipend, housing and food will be provided in Bryan/College Station. Housing and food are NOT provided for Houston participants. Travel to the program and travel home after the program will NOT be paid for by the program.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am an undergraduate student at another institution, can I apply?
Yes. Complete the application and indicate which location you would like to work.
I am a master's degree student at the Texas A&M Health Science Center or at another institution, am I eligible for the program?
Unfortunately the program is only for students who have yet to obtain a bachelor's degree.
I want to travel for the summer, are the dates or hours flexible?
No. All program participants must complete the full 10-week program and perform full-time (40 hours/week minimum) research in the laboratory if accepted into the program.
Can I skip the poster session at the end of the program?
No, it is mandatory in order to complete the program.
Are the weekly seminar sessions mandatory?
Yes.
Should I contact the mentor prior to applying?
Undergraduate students are encouraged to contact potential PIs and discuss availability and project ideas, however this is not mandatory.
I am interested in clinical research, does that count?
A research project will have a hypothesis, methods of data collection, and a conclusion. Most faculty have experience in deriving such projects. Lastly, the mentor must be affiliated with the Texas A&M System College of Medicine.
Which Summer Research Program sites can I participate at?
Any faculty members of Texas A&M College of Medicine are eligible as mentors. We have sites in Houston and Bryan/College Station.
If I am from out of town or wish to work at another location, is there housing available for the summer?
Housing and food are provided in Bryan/College Station. Housing and food are NOT provided in Houston.
I am an international student, am I eligible to apply?
Yes, international students and undergraduate students at international institutions are eligible to apply for the program. If selected, international students may have to submit extra documentation.
Is transportation provided?
Transportation is not provided. Texas A&M bus system runs in the Summer and can be utilized. Students are expected to coordinate their own transportation. Parking passes will be provided for free as needed.
How to Apply
The Summer Research Program uses the Texas A&M Health Admissions Processing Portal (APP) for the application process. Click here to access APP.
Application Requirements
Undergraduate student applicants are required to submit a transcript from their primary institution and two letters of recommendation, in addition to submitting the online application. The deadline for receipt of the application, transcript(s), and letters of recommendation is Feb. 1, 2025.
It is the applicant's responsibility to have a transcript from their primary institution and two recommendation letters (signed and on letterhead) sent to the following email or address. Transcripts may be unofficial for the application process.
Email: med-summerresearch@tamu.edu
Texas A&M University College of Medicine
Medical Research and Education Building II, Suite 1349
Office of Research, Shelly Daughters
Summer Undergraduate Research Program
8447 Riverside Pkwy
Bryan, TX 77807-1359
Notification of Admission
Notification of admission to the Summer Research Program will begin late March.
Summer Research Mentors
Mentors are from the following areas/concentrations: Cancer, Cardiovascular, Clinical Neurosurgery, Clinical Sciences & Outcomes Research, Immunology, Medical Microbiology, Molecular Medicine, and Neuroscience.
For more information on potential mentors, please see the biography information for the Medical Sciences Faculty.