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U-RISE@UHart

U-RISE@UHart

student doing research in a lab

Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement 

The U-RISE@UHart Program is funded by the National Institutes for General Medical Services (NIGMS), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The program’s goal is to promote broad participation in the biomedical research workforce by strengthening research training environments and expanding the pool of well-trained students who 1) complete their baccalaureate degree, and 2) transition into and complete biomedical research-focused graduate degree programs (such as PhD or MD/PhD). 

URise

Program Details 

Open to UHart rising juniors who are studying biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or biomedical engineering, the year-round, two-year program includes research seminars, a research course, and intramural and extramural research opportunities, all of which are specifically designed to enhance their major curriculum and prepare them for graduate training in biomedical research.  
 
Trainees in the U-RISE@UHart Program receive academic advisement from a faculty member in their major department who also serves as a member of the U-RISE Steering Committee. Additionally, they will receive a stipend of approximately $14,000 (per year), tuition assistance of up to $16,000 (per year), and additional funding to offset the cost of travel to research opportunities. 

Eligibility Requirements

biology student

You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident AND have formally declared biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or biomedical engineering as a major. 

In addition, you must:  

  • Have a minimum of two years remaining before graduation.  
  • Have a cumulative GPA and major GPA of at least 3.0 
  • Enroll in required U-RISE specific coursework. 
  • Demonstrate a commitment to pursuing a PhD or MD/PhD in a field of biomedical research. 
  • Engage in intramural research during the academic year and extramural research during the summer.

Benefits of U-RISE@UHart 

As a U-RISE trainee, you will engage in research, workshops, and coursework that builds your practical and professional skills. You are given financial support, including a partial scholarship for tuition and fees and a year-round stipend.  

Undergraduate research experience plays a pivotal role in enhancing a student’s academic experience and sparking their interest in a research-focused career. By providing these students with financial support, they will be able to invest more time in gaining valuable research experience—time they might otherwise have had to spend working another job to help pay tuition.

Aime A. Levesque, Professor and U-RISE@UHart Program Director, Biology Department

Application Information

Current sophomores are encouraged to apply for a spot in the U-RISE@UHart cohort that begins in the 2025-26 academic year. The application deadline is January 31 (at 11:59 p.m.). 

Application components include: 

  • A personal statement that describes your interest in biomedical research, your plans for graduate training, career goals, and research interests (including field(s) of interest, and potential UHart faculty research mentor(s), if known). 
  • Two letters of recommendation from faculty members that describe your approach to learning, ability to engage in teamwork, and overall performance in their course or research (if applicable). 

Program Personnel

Principal Investigators and U-RISE@UHart Program Directors

Program Coordinator