Delaware INBRE Summer Scholars Program
Program Description and FAQs
The Delaware INBRE Summer Scholars Program is an undergraduate summer research program sponsored through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) – National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) through funding to the Delaware INBRE program. In a partnership with five state institutions, including Christiana Care, Delaware Technical Community College, Delaware State University, Nemours Hospital for Children, and the University of Delaware, selected undergraduate students are able to carry out independent research projects while studying full-time under a mentor to gain knowledge of research techniques and making unique scholarly or original impacts to the biomedical sciences. Regional summer opportunities are available in Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire & Rhode Island. Contact the INBRE education office at your school or email inbre-education@udel.edu, before applying to the regional programs.
Students are required to attend all mandatory Delaware INBRE events and also participate in an oral or poster presentation at the Research Symposium at the conclusion of the program. Scholars will be required to sign an agreement adhering to all terms and conditions of the program. Underrepresented minority groups and veterans are especially encouraged to apply.
DE-INBRE Student Success Report – 2021
Application Timeline (3 & 4 may vary by research location)
- Summer 2023 Application opens January 15, 2023
- Applications & Recommendations Due March 1, 2023
- Students notified of decisions April 11-16, 2023
- Student acceptance deadline April 30, 2023
Eligibility
Q. How do I know if I’m eligible to apply for the Delaware INBRE Summer Scholars program?
A: All undergraduate students are eligible to apply, provided that they
- Are enrolled full-time as a rising sophomore or above;
- Delaware resident or attend Delaware college/university; and
- Are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Q. I’m graduating from college in the Spring before the program begins, may I still apply?
A: No, only full-time, currently enrolled undergraduate students who are rising sophomores or above are eligible to apply. High school students, graduates, and medical school students are not eligible. Ineligible applications will not be reviewed.
Application information
Q: When is the application deadline?
A: Students must have all sections of the application completed and received by 5:00 p.m. (EST) March 1, 2023. Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Applicants will receive final acceptance notices beginning April 6, 2023.
Q: May I e-mail or fax my application?
A: Applications must be completed electronically via the Application link: https://ugresearch.udel.edu/PUB_Program.aspx. Due to a high volume of applications, emails, faxes and regular mail applications will not be accepted.
Q: I have attended classes at more than one undergraduate institution. Which transcript should I include with my application?
A: Please include your most complete transcript which provides the most complete review of the courses you have taken.
Q: How are transcripts submitted?
A: Transcripts must be uploaded with your application as per Application instructions. We cannot accept applications via regular mail, fax, or email.
Q: I have a double major. How should I list my GPA?
A: Please provide the average GPA over both majors.
Q: How many letters of recommendations do I need and how are they submitted?
A: Each applicant must provide one letter of recommendation. If you have research experience, highly recommend your letter come from your research mentor. Your recommendation letter must be uploaded through the link sent via email to your recommender. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted via email, fax, or any other method. Please be sure to correctly enter the recommendation’s email address and to alert them that this request will be coming prior to filling out the application.
Q: How should I have my reference’s address the recommendation letter?
A: Letters can be addressed to the Delaware INBRE Summer Scholars Program Selection Committee
Q: May I submit more than one letter of recommendation?
A: No, only one letter will be accepted.
Q: How does the Summer Scholars selection procedure work?
A: The selection procedure is as follows:
- Student application, essay, resume, transcript and letters of recommendation will be reviewed by the Summer Scholars selection committee.
- Applicants will be notified if selected for an interview. Selected candidates will then complete interviews with prospective mentor for summer research if requested by the mentor.
- Formal offers will be extended to those selected and notifications will be sent to those not selected.
Q: How do I select the research group I will work with and/or the project I will study?
A: Applicants are asked to review the research opportunities and research institutions on this website prior to applying for the program here. Once the student has determined there is a real interest in a project/mentor/research area, the student should submit the Delaware INBRE Summer Scholars application expressing an interest in a prospective mentor in their application.
Q: If I’m not accepted for Summer Scholars, may I apply again next year?
A: We encourage students to re-apply if eligibility requirements are still able to be met.
Q: What does “Low Income” mean?
A: The term “low-income individual” means an individual whose family’s taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level amount. You may find your family’s income status by looking at the US Department of Education page.
Q: What does does the question “First Generation” mean?
A: A first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parent(s)/legal guardian(s) have not completed a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college or university. This means that you are the first in your family to attend a four-year college/university to attain a bachelor’s degree.
Q: Who should I ask for a letter of recommendation?
A: We accept letters of recommendation from professors who know you and/or you have studied with, research mentors, physicians you have researched with, your prior employers or volunteer supervisors and other types of supervisors you may have had prior to the internship. As stated above, we highly recommend your letter come from your research mentor if you already have research experience. We do not accept letters from fellow students, graduate students, family members or individuals who do not know you personally.
About the program
Q:What are the start and end dates of the Summer Scholars program? Are the program dates flexible?
A: Program dates vary depending on which institution you will be performing your summer research with.
University of Delaware and Christiana Care begins June 5, 2023 and ends August 11, 2023 with July 4th off.
Nemours and Delaware State University begins May 30, 2023 and end August 4, 2023 with July 4th off.
Delaware Tech students will follow the dates of the location above they are assigned to.
Scholars must attend their institution specific orientation at the start of the program. Full-time hours are required during the program.
Q: Is anything required besides full-time research in order to receive the allowance?
A: Participation in all Delaware INBRE Summer Scholar events (for example: weekly seminars, program orientation, supplemental seminars, annual retreat and final research symposium) is required. Program orientation and the final research symposium cannot be excused due to content requirements. Failure to attend other mandatory events without prior approval may result in loss of partial or full allowance.
Q: How much is the Delaware INBRE Summer Scholar allowance?
A: The allowance for Summer 2023 will range from $4300 to $5600 depending on at which institution your mentor is located. Please contact the mentor’s institution INBRE office for more information.
Q: Is housing provided?
A: Please contact the mentor’s institution INBRE office for more information. (contact list below)
Q: I was planning on taking a summer class. Is this okay?
A: Summer classes have been shown to negatively impact research projects, shadowing opportunities, and other required events and are strongly discouraged. Any plans to take a class or other summer commitments that could impact full participation must be disclosed during the application or interview process. Failure to do so will disqualify you from the program.
Q: Will I be able to continue training with my lab/research group after my participation in Summer Scholars ends?
A: A student may continue to train with their mentor following completion of the program at the mentor’s discretion. Not all labs or research groups will have the room or funds available for additional personnel so please ask before attempting to continue the research.
Q: Who should I contact if I have questions?
| University of Delaware | Ms. Linda Polasko | lpolasko@udel.edu |
| Delaware Technical Community College – Stanton Campus | Dr. John McDowell | jmcdowe8@dtcc.edu |
| Delaware Technical Community College – Wilmington Campus | Dr. Curtis Line | curtis.line@dtcc.edu |
| Delaware State University | Ms. Rohina Niamat | rniamat@desu.edu |
| Christiana Care Health System | Dr. Ross Budziszewski | ross.budziszewski@christianacare.org |
| Nemours/A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children | Dr. Sonali Barwe | Sonali.Barwe@nemours.org |
