UPWARDS Academic Year Long Undergraduate Research Training Program (Houston, TX)

The MD Anderson Cancer Center UPWARDS: Underrepresented Minorities Working Towards Research Diversity in Science Research Training Program addresses the lack of diversity afflicting the cancer research workforce and educational pipeline via early intervention programs that foster sustained interest in cancer research for young scientists. Our comprehensive UPWARDS Training Program focuses on major barriers deterring and preventing many minority students from pursuing and succeeding in graduate programs and in cancer research careers.

Program Details:

The MD Anderson UPWARDS Undergraduate Academic Year Research Training Program will cultivate undergraduate minority scientists with the goal of increasing diversity in biomedical graduate programs and in the cancer research workforce by supporting ten undergraduate trainees per year. The program offers stipends, fringe benefits, parking allowance, and provide a modest travel allowance. UPWARDS Undergraduate Academic Year Program trainees will be appointed for one year with competitive renewal option for up to two years. Renewals will be dependent upon successful academic and research progress, participation in activities related to the UPWARDS Undergraduate Academic Year Training Program (e.g., an annual presentation, journal club meetings) and competition with new applicants.

Accepted students will take part in a paid part-time year-long research experience at MD Anderson. Through this experience, students will be paired with a faculty member working in his /her lab gaining hands-on research experience, participate in didactic coursework and training, and receive mentoring to guide the trainee in their future academic and professional pursuits.

Eligibility:

All applicants must be an undergraduate who identifies as an underrepresented minority in science which includes ethnic or racial minority groups (African American, Hispanic, American Indian, Pacific Islander/native Hawaiian), economically disadvantaged, educationally disadvantaged, with disabilities, or first-generation students.