HBCU-Bridge Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) Summer 2024

Apply Now for Summer 2024

Program Description:

The HBCU-Bridge Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) is designed to immerse undergraduate students from local HBCUs in cutting-edge scientific research while developing scientific literacy and professional development skills. The goals of the program are to introduce undergraduate students from underrepresented minority (URM) populations to biomedical research in microbiology and immunology. Students will be matched with a participating laboratory in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology where they will perform experiments to address a key scientific question. Students will also participate in a weekly journal club where they will develop and practice key skills including scientific literacy, hypothesis generation, and experimental design. The program runs from May 20 until July 28. (Virtual orientation will be May 20-24, and move in date will be May 26.) At the end of the 10-week program, students participate in a campus-wide poster session where they formally present their projects to an audience.

Students who qualify (see eligibility below) can apply for an extension program which supports ongoing research with their host laboratory through the academic year and following summer. This opportunity provides students with more in-depth and independent research experience, grows their network of mentors, and prepares students for graduate and professional school.

Eligibility:

Research internships are awarded on a competitive basis to students who meet the following requirements:

• Enrolled full-time at one of the following institutes: North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University, Shaw University, Winston-Salem State, or Bennett College
• Current freshman, sophomore, or junior majoring in a biological, biomedical, or chemical science (only current freshmen and sophomores will be eligible for the extension program)

Previous research experience is not required. Underrepresented and first-generation students are encouraged to apply.

Students must be able to participate in the entire program (see dates above), including weekly journal clubs and professional development seminars, lab meetings, and the end-of-summer poster presentation. Students are not permitted to take summer courses during the dates of the program.

$6000 stipend and UNC campus housing will be provided.

Contacts:

LaKeya Hardy (UNC Chapel Hill) lchardy@email.unc.edu

Jamie Arnold (UNC Chapel Hill) jamie_arnold@med.unc.edu

Tamara Slenn, Ph.D. (North Carolina Central University) tslenn@nccu.edu

Applications for each new year open in December!