Applications for UM-SMART, a 10-week summer undergraduate research program sponsored by the University of Michigan Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP, which is an MD/PhD program) on the medical campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, are open. UM-SMART is designed for undergraduate students who have an interest in obtaining a combined MD/PhD degree leading to a career in academic medicine as a physician-scientist performing basic research relevant to human health and disease. As a UM-SMART summer research fellow, students work full-time in a basic research laboratory under the mentorship of a research faculty member. More detailed information on UM-SMART is detailed below.
More info on UM-SMART…
The goal of the UM-SMART program is to help students decide if a career as a physician-scientist is right for them, and to enhance competitiveness when applying to MD/PhD programs. The UM-SMART has helped 119 undergraduate participants learn about MD/PhD training since 2008. After graduation, 77% of past participants entered MD/PhD, PhD, or MD programs. This 10-week program is aimed at students who have some amount of basic and mechanistic research experience related to medicine and are interested in gaining more experience to advance their career goals. UM-SMART is not intended for students seeking clinical research experience on human subjects. Additionally, we do not offer opportunities in public health, the social sciences, or humanities.
Application deadline: January 24, 2025
Program dates: May 27 - August 3, 2025
Program Highlights:
Students participating in a lab receive a stipend of $4,700 plus residence hall housing and a meal allowance.
The main scientific focus of the summer program is to provide full-time laboratory biomedical research, as well as
- Two half day clinical shadowing experiences
- Online MCAT preparation accessible for 12 months
- Oral and Poster presentation and relevant seminars
- “Big Sib” Mentoring Program
Eligibility:
Applicants belonging to groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research are strongly encouraged to apply. This includes: Individuals from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, such as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds such as family annual income below established low-income thresholds, or an educational environment that has inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to develop and participate in a research career.
In addition, applicants must
- Be a US Citizen or permanent resident of the US
- Complete sophomore year by June 1, 2025
- Maintain a minimum 3.2 grade point average
- Complete 100 hours of research lab experience by June 1, 2025
- Submit two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a research mentor or the instructor of a laboratory course.
To apply to the UM-SMART program, follow this link: https://umms-omse.smapply.io/prog/um-smart_summer_undergraduate_research_program_2025
For more information please read the brochure or visit the website: https://medschool.umich.edu/programs-admissions/md-phd-program/um-smart-undergrad-summer-program
