Undergraduate Student Scholars Program

Thank you for your interest in the Undergraduate Student Scholars Program in the NIH Center for Molecular Studies in Digestive and Liver Diseases at the University of Pennsylvania, an organized program of summer lectures and presentations combined with basic research experience in the laboratory of an expert investigator. This program is open to students from the University of Pennsylvania as well as outside of the university, and the curriculum is designed specifically for undergraduate students with an interest in biomedical research, with the eventual goal of MD, PhD, or MD-PhD degrees. Applications from women and members of underrepresented minorities are strongly encouraged.

During the program, students attend weekly seminars on introductory topics in biomedical research. At the end of the course, all participants present their research to members of the Center for Molecular Studies in Digestive and Liver Diseases in a focused seminar and receive a certificate recognizing their completion of the program. The research program is thus individualized to each student and each laboratory.

Seminar and research experiences are supplemented by social events and activities, including an end-of-summer dinner featuring all students and mentors. Thus, students develop strong and lasting relationships with their fellow students, with members of the research laboratories, and with their mentors. Students receive a competitive stipend for their participation in the 10-week program, and on-campus housing is available.

Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for common inquiries about the Undergraduate Student Scholars Program.

The Application for USSP 2025 is now open

Apply Today!

Undergraduate Student Scholars Program
University of Pennsylvania
Perelman School of Medicine
Gastroenterology Business Office
9th Floor Biomedical Research Building
421 Curie Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6064

Send application and letters to: Lashay.Copper@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Any questions, please reach out to Jonathan Katz, MD: jpkatz@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Applications for summer of 2025 are now open. The deadline for all application materials is January 31, 2025 at 5:00pm. Students accepted into the program must be eligible to work in the United States. While prior research experience is typical of accepted students, it is not required for acceptance. Mean GPA of accepted students is generally greater than 3.5. The dates from this year’s program will be June 2 to August 8, 2025.

The Undergraduate Student Scholars Program is supported by NIH grant R25-DK066028.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)