Summer Undergraduate Research Program



Each summer the Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh (CNUP) sponsors a vibrant and diverse 10-week summer program in which selected undergraduate students from throughout the U.S. conduct neuroscience research under the guidance of individual CNUP training faculty. The 2023 CNUP Summer Undergraduate Research Program will begin on Tuesday, May 30.
 

Program Goals:

  1. To give qualified students the opportunity to experience the challenges and rewards of intensive, hypothesis-driven laboratory research in neuroscience.
  2. To teach the technical features of a research project. These may include neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, molecular biology, brain imaging, computer simulations, neuropsychology, or behavioral assessments.

    Note: Students who envision their future in clinical medicine typically will not be competitive for this fellowship, unless that vision also includes an important potential role for laboratory-based neuroscience research.

Eligibility:

  1. Applicants must have completed their sophomore or junior year of undergraduate training before the start of the program.
  2. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 ("B") or higher; strong performance in science, math, and related coursework is especially important.
  3. Applicants must be undergraduate students currently enrolled full-time at a U.S. college or university.
  4. International applicants will be required to provide official authorization for Optional Practical Training (OPT) from their home institution, prior to their arrival in Pittsburgh.

Funding:

  1. A $4,000 stipend will be paid as follows: $500 will be paid on June 2. The remaining $3,500 will be paid in two equal payments of $1750 on June 30 and July 31, 2023.
  2. The availability of University on-campus housing is unclear at this time due to COVID-19. We will update this page as things change.
  3. Access cards will be provided to ride Port Authority public transportation buses.
  4. Fellows will be responsible for their own meals and other expenses, including transportation to and from Pittsburgh.

COVID-19 Notice:

  1. Students should be aware that University housing may not be provided, although we are doing our best to secure housing. To help us plan better, please indicate in your personal statement whether your participation is contingent on University housing or whether you would be able to arrange your own housing locally.
  2. All CNUP Summer Fellows will be required to adhere to University-mandated COVID-19 precautions. These may include but are not limited to full vaccination (or vaccine exemption), a period of self-isolation, mask wearing, social distancing, and random virus testing.

To Apply:

  1. Download the application form.
  2. View research interests of CNUP Training Faculty participating in the 2023 Summer Program.
  3. Choose the top 5 faculty members with whom you would like to work. Whenever possible, student/mentor pairings are determined from this list.
  4. Please send the application form, college transcripts, personal statement, and letters of recommendation to cnup@pitt.edu by January 27, 2023.
    • As University housing may not be provided, please indicate in your personal statement whether your participation is contingent on University housing or whether you would be able to arrange your own housing locally.

Program Policies:

  1. The 2023 program will begin with orientation on May 30 and end with final presentations on August 4. All fellows must be available to begin and end their participation on these dates.
  2. Fellows are expected to work in the laboratory full-time throughout the 10-week program. Vacation days will not be permitted unless pre-approved by the faculty mentor. Other awards and funding must be relinquished.

Pertinent Dates and Deadlines:

  1. 2023 program dates: Tuesday, May 30, through Friday, August 4
  2. Application receipt deadline: Friday, January 27, 2023
  3. Applicants will be notified by email between March 6-15, 2023, whether they are accepted, placed on a waitlist, or declined. Students who are accepted will be requested to accept or decline the CNUP Summer Program offer within 4 days.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Get your questions answered with some frequently asked questions that our students usually have!

 

 

Jon W. Johnson, PhD

Center for Neuroscience and
Department of Neuroscience
E-mail: jjohnson@pitt.edu
412-624-4295
 

Anthony E. Kline, PhD

Center for Neuroscience and
Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
E-mail: klinae@upmc.edu
412-965-2043