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 2025 CNUP Summer Undergraduate Research Program is scheduled from Tuesday, May 27 to Friday, August 1.
The Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh (CNUP) does not tolerate harassment in any form. We strive for an inclusive environment that does not discriminate based on immigration status, race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity, religious faith, socio-economic status, political affiliation, or disability status. All are welcome here.
- Program Goals
- To allow qualified students to experience the challenges and rewards of intensive, hypothesis-driven laboratory research in neuroscience.
- 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
- Applicants must have completed their sophomore or junior year of undergraduate training before the start of the program.
- Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 ("B") or higher; strong performance in science, math, and related coursework is especially important.
- Applicants must be undergraduate students currently enrolled full-time at a U.S. college or university.
- International applicants will be required to provide official authorization for Optional Practical Training (OPT) from their home institution, before they arrive in Pittsburgh.
- Funding
- A $4,000 stipend will be paid as follows: $500 will be paid on May 30. The remaining $3,500 will be paid in two equal payments of $1750 on June 30 and July 31, 2025.
- The CNUP will provide apartment-style housing on campus to any fellows who require it for the duration of the program. Check-in will be a few days before the orientation date, and check-out will be after final presentations on August 1st, or on August 2nd.
- Access cards will be provided to ride Port Authority public transportation buses.
- Fellows will be responsible for their own meals and other expenses, including transportation to and from Pittsburgh.
- To Apply
- Download the application form.
- View research interests of CNUP Training Faculty participating in the 2025 Summer Program.
- Choose the top 5 faculty members with whom you would like to work. Whenever possible, student/mentor pairings are determined from this list.
- Please send the application form, college transcripts, personal statement, and letters of recommendation to cnup@pitt.edu by the deadline listed on the application form.
- Program Policies
- All fellows must be available to begin on the orientation date and end their participation on the final presentation date. These are listed in the "Pertinent Dates and Deadlines" section.
- Fellows are expected to work in the laboratory full-time throughout the 10-week program. Fellows who leave the program early for any reason will have their stipend reduced in proportion to the number of weeks in the program missed. Requested vacation days must have pre-approval from their faculty mentor. Other awards and funding must be relinquished.
- Dates and Deadlines
- 2025 program dates: Tuesday, May 27 (Orientation) to Friday, August 1 (Final Presentations)
- Application receipt deadline: Friday, January 24, 2025
- Applicants will be notified by email between March 3-14, 2025 whether they are accepted, placed on a waitlist, or declined. Accepted students will be requested to accept or decline the CNUP Summer Program offer within 4 days.