The ASPIRE program is a pathway opportunity presented by Ohio State University’s College of Medicine, Physician Scientist Education Training program.
As an initiative of the Medical Science Training Program, the ASPIRE Medical Research Program’s mission is to support undergraduate students whose backgrounds have not afforded them the opportunity to engage in the health sciences. The program provides participants with mentorship, research experience in world-class laboratories, and personal and academic support to prepare them for advanced education and careers as health care providers.
ASPIRE is open to current Ohio State University sophomores and juniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
This is a 12 month commitment beginning with summer semester and continuing through the following spring semester; you must have at least 12 months remaining in your undergraduate education to participate.
All interested students are encouraged to apply, including:
- Students with disabilities, defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
- Students from economically and/or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds
- First generation college students
- Students who have overcome economic or educational obstacles in obtaining higher education
- Students interested in pursuing a dual degree MD/PhD program
Students will begin the program in summer 2025 spending 10 weeks (38 hours a week) conducting research with a principal investigator (PI). The PI and the student may choose to extend the experience into the academic year and beyond.
In the ASPIRE Medical Research program, students can expect to:
- Develop skills and research experiences that will help them stand out on applications for graduate or professional health science programs,
- Connect with students and Ohio State faculty from diverse backgrounds with similar interests, and
- Build and nurture professional relationships that will serve them at Ohio State and beyond.
Eligible students are encouraged to learn more and apply online by January 15, 2025.
Want to jump start your search for the right research program? Check out this listing of programs that have recently reached out to CBC students.
Fellows are 
Wake Forest University School of Medicine offers a variety of summer research and internship opportunities. These programs are mainly for undergraduate students. All programs are NIH-funded; applicants must be US Citizens or permanent residents and have a GPA of at least 2.85. Students from diverse backgrounds groups underrepresented in biomedical sciences are encouraged to apply.
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) funds paid summer STEM research experiences in Germany for sophomores and juniors from US, Canadian, and UK universities. Undergraduate students are mentored by doctoral students at Germany’s top research institutions. Summer internships last 2.5-3 months and no German language skills are required. RISE awardees also attend a 3-day meeting in Heidelberg in July with travel funded by DAAD RISE.
The School of Biological Sciences at CSHL is an innovative and exciting doctoral program based on a rich history of more than 100 years of scientific research and education. The School was designed nearly 25 years ago to streamline and enhance all aspects of Ph.D. training, with all students’ individual goals at the forefront.
