A Northwestern Undergraduate Summer Quarter Research Program

Program dates: June 17, 2024 – August 23, 2024

Application due April 15, 2024 by 5:00PM, Download the Application here.

Applications and letters of recommendation should be emailed to Penelope Johnson at penelope.johnson@northwestern.edu. 

PROGRAM DETAILS

Twenty-first century research is by nature interdisciplinary. Researchers work in collaboration and/or use methods developed by chemists, biologists, engineers, physicists, mathematicians and clinicians to address the most interesting questions about human health and disease. The most innovative approaches to problem solving stem from these interdisciplinary collaborations.

The CLP Summer Scholars Research Program offers competitive $5,000 research awards ($4,500 stipend + $500 for supplies) to Northwestern undergraduates who have demonstrated, through course work and activities, that they are interested in pursuing interdisciplinary research in the sciences. Scholars are named by mid-May.

The Summer Scholars program provides students the opportunity to pursue an interdisciplinary research project in collaboration with Northwestern University CLP-affiliated faculty with appointments in over 23 departments.

For all questions, please contact  penelope.johnson@northwestern.edu.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be Northwestern undergraduates. Research must be conducted with a  CLP faculty member. Previous lab experience is suggested. Applicants will be selected based upon their academic achievements and scientific interests.  

HOW TO APPLY

• Complete the application form. Click to Download the Form.
• Submit a one-page, single-sided proposal describing the research you would conduct if you were selected for this program. Include a title of your project centered at top of the page. Use a standard 11 point font. A second page is allowed for figures and/or references.
• Submit a letter of recommendation from a CLP faculty member.
• Applications and letters of recommendation should be emailed to Penelope Johnson at  penelope.johnson@northwestern.edu

HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PROPOSAL

Those in a lab: Contact your PI at least three weeks in advance of the application due date and ask for her/his assistance with developing a proposal, and ask for a letter of recommendation.

Most likely, your advisor can provide past examples of summer research proposals. Students must submit a one-page research proposal. You are being asked to describe your research project in your own words.

What is the goal? 
How will you accomplish this goal? 
What methods will you use? 
What models (cell line, animals, etc.) if you are performing biological research? 

Those who are looking to join a lab: Once you have an idea of whose lab you would like to join, reach out to the faculty member to set up a meeting. Plan on doing this at least four weeks before the application due date. Additionally, Northwestern’s Office for Undergraduate Research has a great website with resources on how to find a lab, develop a project, and work with faculty.

• NU Office for Undergraduate Research General Information
• NU Office for Undergraduate Research Proposal Writing

Projects can include use of the following facilities:

• Biological Imaging Facility 
• Center for Advanced Molecular Imaging
• Developmental Therapeutics Core
• High Throughput Analysis Laboratory
• Proteomics Core
• Quantitative Bio-element Imaging Center

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FORUM

The summer culminates in a research forum for all CLP undergraduates, including Summer Scholars and Lambert Fellows, with an audience of CLP faculty and members of their research groups. Students present a poster that features their summer research project (August).

Click here for more information on our workshops and activities.

STIPEND

The award for our students is $5,000 which breaks down to $4,500 as a summer stipend and $500 for research expenses, such as laboratory supplies. Unused funds revert back to CLP.

EXPECTATIONS

Summer scholars are expected to spend 100% of their Summer Quarter (10 weeks) working with a CLP faculty member in a multi-disciplinary science research lab.

Students must agree not to take on any other paid work or research grants for any part of the ten-week period, and must not be enrolled in courses for any part of that period.

Students are required to:

• Present a poster at the completion of the project at the CLP Undergraduate Research Forum in August.
• Present a research poster or give an oral presentation at the Chicago Area Undergraduate Research Symposium in April 2025.

Students are highly encouraged to participate in CLP-sponsored workshops throughout the year:

• CLP Lunch & Learns
• CLP-sponsored workshops
• Institute-sponsored symposia