STRIDE Summer Research Fellowship Award

The APS Short-Term Research Education Program to Increase Diversity in Health-Related Research (STRIDE) Fellowships allow undergraduate students to participate in hands-on research in the laboratory of an established researcher and APS member for 10 weeks. Fellows have the opportunity to:

• network with other STRIDE Fellows interested in and conducting biomedical research,
• explore the nature of research and the scientific process,
• investigate physiology career options and what it takes to find career success,
• learn about scientific writing,
• draft a meeting abstract,
• learn about common ethical issues in figure and text preparation, and
• pose their career questions to members of the APS Advisory Board and APS Career Opportunities in Physiology Committee.

The award will be presented annually (contingent upon funding). The award consists of:

• $4,500 stipend;
• Travel expenses (up to $1,500) for the awardee to attend a fall 2019 scientific meeting; and
• Up to $500 in reimbursement for lab supplies to the fellow's research host.

• Applicant must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at the time of application.
• Applicant must be from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research including individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, individuals from underrepresented diverse groups, and individuals with disabilities.
• Applicant must be working with an APS member in good standing.
• Applicant must have an overall GPA of >3.0 (0-4.0 scale).
• Previous STRIDE Fellows will be eligible for a second year of funding either in the same APS program or a different program (depending on eligibility and funding) after successful completion of the first year.
• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Final selection of the award recipient will be made by the member of the STRIDE Advisory Board.

Applications shall consist of:

1. A 500-word description of the student's research project to be written by the student. Note: If this is not written in the student's own words, it will not be reviewed by the advisory board members.
2. A copy of the student’s transcript (official or unofficial).
3. One-page personal statement written by the student that describes the following:
   • Background, achievements, interests in short-term goals,
   • Long-term career goals,
   • How the research experience will positively influence his/her career development,
   • A statement concerning his/her choice of the APS member researcher who will host him/her in their lab.
4. Two letters of recommendation:
   1. One from the research host the student proposes working with over the summer.
   2. One from a faculty member at the student’s home institution.

To the extent possible, these letters should rank the applicant in comparison to other students at similar levels. Both letters should speak directly to the issue of the applicant’s potential to pursue a career in physiology as a research scientist. The letter from the research host should describe the basis or factors that resulted in an invitation to work in their laboratory. Letters should also comment specifically on the applicant’s career aspirations and the stage of development of those aspirations.