NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP) offers competitive scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. The program offers:

  • Scholarship support
  • Paid research training at the NIH during the summer
  • Paid employment and training at the NIH after graduation

Scholarship Support

The NIH UGSP will pay up to $20,000 per academic year in tuition, educational expenses, and reasonable living expenses to scholarship recipients. Scholarships are awarded for 1 year, and can be renewed up to 4 years.

Research Training at the NIH

For each full or partial scholarship year, you are committed to two NIH service obligations. The obligations themselves are benefits of the UGSP—providing you with invaluable research training and experience at the NIH.

1) 10-week Summer Laboratory Experience. After each year of scholarship support, you will train for 10 weeks as a paid summer research employee in an NIH research laboratory. This employment occurs after the receipt of the scholarship award. Each scholar will be assigned to an NIH researcher and an NIH post-doctoral fellow, who will serve as mentors. You will also attend formal seminars and participate in a variety of programs.

2) Employment at the NIH after Graduation. After graduation, you will continue your training as a full-time employee in an NIH research laboratory. You must serve 1 year of full-time employment for each year of scholarship.

Scholarship Requirements

The NIH Undergraduate Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to students who show a commitment to pursuing careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. The following are the basic requirements:

  • U.S. citizen, national, or qualified non-citizen. (See below for more information.)
  • Enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time student for the 2006-2007 academic year at an accredited, 4-year undergraduate institution.
  • From a disadvantaged background. Disadvantaged background means that your financial aid office has certified you as having “exceptional financial need.” (See website for more information.)
  • 3.5 GPA or higher (on a 4.0 scale) or within the top 5 percent of your class.

How do I apply?

We encourage students to apply online at http://ugsp.info.nih.gov. In addition to our online application, this Web site contains detailed information on the UGSP, as well as downloadable application forms.

Applications available Fall
Deadline for receipt of complete applications  March
Award notifications June-August

Official Web Site
http://ugsp.info.nih.gov/

[Top of page]