Summer Scholars Program

In partnership with the Center for Diversity and Health Equity, the Science Education Department is excited to offer the Summer Scholars Program (SSSP).

The Summer Scholars Program provides undergraduate students with a paid summer internship opportunity to engage in basic, clinical, community-based or translational research projects at Seattle Children’s Research Institute under the mentorship of experienced researchers and principal investigators.

This program is for students from backgrounds that are historically underrepresented in the biomedical and health sciences, including those listed below. Students from these groups are highly encouraged to apply.

• Individuals underrepresented by race or ethnicity:
  • Blacks or African Americans
  • Hispanics or Latinos
  • American Indians or Alaska Natives
  • Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders
• Individuals with disabilities as described in the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended
• Individuals who meet two or more of the NIH criteria for disadvantaged backgrounds

Program Components

• Hands-on mentored research at a leading research institution
  Summer scholars do authentic research as part of Seattle Children’s research teams, meet with mentors, and gain valuable research experience. Over the course of the nine-week program, scholars spend 35 hours per week performing mentored research on a project they selected during the application process.
• Curriculum to strengthen research knowledge and skills, consider research pathways, and explore cultural issues in research
  Five hours per week is allocated to completing the core curriculum. The curriculum is intended to support scholars in learning the principles of responsible and ethical conduct of research (RCR), to provide professional development that helps them discover or clarify their short- and long-term career goals, and to provide opportunities for networking and community building.
• Publish and present research
  The program culminates with each scholar publishing an abstract of their research project and presents their research at the poster symposium in the program's final week.

How to Become a Summer Scholar

Those interested in promoting or applying for the program should review eligibility criteria, expectations, and available supports, which may be revised annually.

Applications typically open in December. Be sure to check back in November 2024 for an updated 2025 application and selection timeline.

How the Summer Scholars Program Is Meeting Its Objective

Every year, scholars complete a post-program survey which is analyzed to gauge program impact and to inform program improvements. Download our annual report:

• 2023 Summer Scholars Program Report – Newest (PDF)
• 2022 Summer Scholars Program Report (PDF)

Read our 2023 Summer Scholars' Profiles and Research Abstracts (PDF).