What Programs Would I Qualify For?
The following table details what programs you can qualify for, based on year of study and other qualifications.
| Opportunity | Who Can Apply? | Qualifications | Applications Accepted | Information/Applications |
| Science Alliance Pathfinder | Undergraduate Students |
|
Year Round | Information Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Science Alliance Ally | Graduate Students, Faculty, and Staff |
|
Year Round | Information Application |
| Science Alliance Internship | Freshmen or Sophomores |
|
Apply in Fall for the Spring Term Please see the Science Alliance program page for current information about the application due dates |
Information Application |
| UI-MARC | Juniors or Seniors |
|
Apply in the Spring for the Fall Term Please see the UI-MARC program page for current information about application due dates |
Information Application |
| UI-LSAMP | Undergraduate Transfer Students |
|
Year Round Please see the UI-LSAMP program page for current information about application due dates |
Information Application |
| Latham Fellowship | Sophomores, Juniors, or Seniors |
|
Apply in the Spring for the following academic year Please see the Latham program page for current information about the application due dates |
Information Application |
Who are Underrepresented Populations?
In spite of tremendous advancements in scientific research, information, educational and research opportunities are not equally available to all. (See https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-20-031.html). NIH encourages institutions to diversify their student and faculty populations to enhance the participation of individuals from groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences, such as:
- Underrepresented Minorities (Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders)
- Individuals with a disability
- Disadvantaged background (must meet two or more qualifications)
- Homeless (past or present)
- Foster Care (past or present)
- Eligible for Federal Pell Grant (past or present)
- Eligible for Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program (for 2 or more years)
- Food Stamps, SNAP, or WIC eligible (past or present)
- First-generation student (no parents or legal guardians have/had completed a bachelor’s degree)
- Grew up in a rural or disadvantaged area
Underrepresented Minorities (URM) - Individuals from racial and ethnic groups that have been shown by the National Science Foundation to be underrepresented in health-related sciences on a national basis (see data at https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/showpub.cfm?TopID=2&SubID=27) and the report Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering). The following racial and ethnic groups have been shown to be underrepresented in biomedical research: Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders.
Individuals with disabilities, who are defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, as described in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. See NSF data at, https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/2017/nsf17310/static/data/tab7-5.pdf.
Who are Disadvantaged Students?
Disadvantaged students are those who have hindrances to excelling in school because of detrimental circumstances beyond their control. These include financial and social hardships as well as problems within students’ families. The category also includes students who would not normally be disadvantaged and who have been affected by some sort of natural disaster.
Disadvantaged students must meet 2 or more of the following: homeless (past or present), foster care (past), Pell grant qualified, free and reduced lunch program, food stamps/WIC qualified (past or present), 1st Generation student, or grew up in a disadvantaged community (rural, low-income).