Deadline: November 20th, 2026 05:00 PM EST
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Purpose
The PR-INBRE Undergraduate Junior Research Associate (JRA) program, part of the Student Research Program (SRP) of NIH/NIGMS award P20GM103475, places undergraduate students in a faculty mentor's laboratory for eight months of hands-on biomedical research. It builds research skills and prepares students for graduate school and health research careers.
Eligibility
- Full-time undergraduate student (sophomore, junior or senior) at a PR-INBRE network institution.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- A faculty mentor with an active research program at a PR-INBRE institution who agrees to supervise the project.
- Students may not hold another research stipend during the appointment.
Award Information
| Stipend | $6,000 for 8 months (paid monthly) |
|---|---|
| Research supplies (to mentor's lab) | $1,000 |
| Effort | 10-15 hours per week during the semester |
| Appointment period | January 11, 2027 to August 31, 2027 |
JRAs present a poster at the PR-INBRE Annual Research Symposium and submit a final report.
Timeline
| Applications open | October 1, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Applications due (5:00 p.m. AST) | November 20, 2026 |
| Selection notices | December 11, 2026 |
| Appointment begins | January 11, 2027 |
| Annual Research Symposium poster | April 2027 |
| Appointment ends; final report due | August 31, 2027 |
Required Documents
- Undergraduate Student Proposal Form: 2 pages in NIH format (Specific Aims, Background and Significance, Approach, Timeline), excluding references. Arial 11 pt, 0.5-inch margins.
- Statement of purpose (typed in the application): research interests and career goals.
- Transcript (official or unofficial) showing cumulative GPA.
- Letter certifying full-time enrollment from the registrar or dean of students.
- Mentor NIH biosketch.
- Recommendation Letter Waiver (FERPA), signed by the student.
- Undergraduate JRA Reference Form: requested through this system from your research mentor, who submits it directly.
Review Process and Criteria
At least five PR-INBRE faculty reviewers score each application on the NIH 1-9 scale (1 = exceptional) for the importance of the research, rigor and feasibility, and the student's and mentor's expertise and resources.
Contacts
SRP Office, PR-INBRE: inbre_proposals@hpcf.upr.edu
