UM-SMART is a summer research experience sponsored by the University of Michigan MD/PhD program. It 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. The goal of the program is to help students decide if a career as a physician-scientist is right for them.
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 19, 2024
Program dates: May 28 - August 2, 2024
Program Highlights: (visit the website or view the brochure for more information)
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: (see the website or brochure for more information)
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, 2024
- Maintain a minimum 3.2 grade point average
- Complete 100 hours of research lab experience by June 1, 2024
- 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/
Should you have any questions about the program please feel free to contact the University of Michigan MSTP office mstp@umich.edu
In addition, the MSTP will be hosting an Information Session on January 24, 2024 from 12:00pm-1:30pm EST. This is an informal chat with program staff and current fellows to answer questions about our MD/PhD program, the admissions process, and Michigan. Interested students can register to attend.
