Stowers Summer Scholars

The mission of the Stowers Summer Scholars Program is to provide an invaluable laboratory experience for those serious science students who are interested in learning more about graduate school and a future in academic research.

Each student participating in the Stowers Summer Scholars Program works on an independent research project under the direction of a principal investigator. The program offers Scholars the opportunity to become immersed in a research topic for a full-time ten-week period. Topics include chromatin and regulation of gene expression; chromosome structure and cell division; computational biology, modeling and technology; developmental genetics and cell biology; developmental neuroscience; and stem cells and regeneration.  Scholars have opportunities to interact and collaborate with other members of their laboratory and the Stowers community as a whole. In this way, Scholars experience not only the intellectual but also the collaborative spirit of research. In addition, Scholars have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the latest techniques in laboratories and supporting core centers, which are equipped with the most advanced technology.

Program

The Summer Scholars Program requires a ten-week commitment during the summer. Scholars spend the vast majority of their time in the laboratory. There they work on a research project while receiving guidance and supervision from the laboratory head or a senior member of the lab. All scholars are required to attend weekly scientific seminars on an array of research topics. Other activities include a weekly lunch where students can share ideas and discuss individual projects and experiments. At the completion of the program, students present their work to their labs at a lab meeting.

Requirements

To be considered for the program, students should have completed 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework (i.e., completed their second year) with at least a 3.5 GPA and be enrolled in a degree-granting program in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, chemistry, physics, computing, engineering, mathematics, or a related field.  Students who will begin a Ph.D. program in Fall 2012 are not eligible for the 2012 Summer Scholars Program.

Allowances and Amenities

In 2012 each Scholar from the U.S. receives a $4,000 stipend, as well as compensation for travel to and from Kansas City at the beginning and end of the program. Non-Kansas City area residents are provided housing.

In 2012 each Scholar from outside the U.S. has housing and meals provided, as well as travel to and from Kansas City at the beginning and end of the program.  The Stowers Institute assists international students with their visa application.

The Stowers Institute for Medical Research boasts a beautiful campus, a cafeteria, gym facilities, and an espresso bar. Amongst other things, Kansas City is well known for its barbecue, an expansive farmer’s market, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, which is within walking distance from the Institute.
 

Program Dates

The program requires a full-time ten-week commitment.  In 2012, applicants will participate during the following sets of dates: 

May 14 – July 20, 2012
June 4 – August 10, 2012
July 2 – September 7, 2012
 

Application

Application materials were due on or before February 1, 2012 for the 2012 Summer Scholars Program.

The following is necessary to complete an application to the program:

1. Application Form
2. A minimum of two letters of recommendation from advisors (sent directly from the advisors, not through applicants)
3. An official transcript
    

Recommendation letters and transcripts can be submitted by email to studenttrainingprograms@stowers.org or by mail to:

Stowers Institute for Medical Research
Attn: Stowers Summer Scholars Program
1000 E. 50th St.
Kansas City, MO 64110

Application Notification

Contact Us

Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have regarding the Stowers Summer Scholars Program.

Ana Pedraza
Summer Scholars Program Coordinator
studenttrainingprograms@stowers.org
816.926.4400