Equity Research Program
Applications are closed for the 2019 Equity Research Program
The 2019 OHSU Equity Research Program
The OHSU Equity Research Program offers an exciting opportunity for diverse undergraduate college students to spend eight weeks working on research projects alongside faculty, scientists and graduate students. Examples of past internship tracks include:
- Biomedical Sciences - Portland Alcohol Research Center, Oregon Hearing and Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute's Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Graduate Medical Studies
- Dental
- Health Systems & Policy - Center for Health Systems Effectiveness
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Public Health
What can Equity Interns expect
- A $3,200 stipend paid during the program
- Hands-on research experience
- Mentoring and advising about your individual career pathway
- Weekly seminars with fellow interns, faculty, and scientist mentors
- Scientific poster presentation of your summer research project
Internship dates
The 2019 Equity Research Program is scheduled for June 17 through August 9, 2019. Equity interns will be selected and notified in February. Interns are expected to work a maximum of 40 hours per week (including weekly seminars).
What do I need to do to apply?
Download or print the 2019 flyer.
Apply for the 2019 Summer Equity Research Internship.
All application materials must be submitted online by February 4, 2019, using the RedCap portal link provided above. Only complete applications can be submitted and will be considered. Use the checklist below to prepare your application submission:
- College Transcripts. Unofficial transcripts are accepted for the application process. You will upload a PDF of your most recent transcript. If you are selected as an Equity Intern, your admission to the program will be pending until an official transcript, in a sealed envelope, is received.
- Current Resume. Include past lab experience, community services and employment history.
- Essay. Include your career and academic goals, campus activities, and personal interests. Discuss the reasons you want to participate in this program and explain how this internship would further enhance your goals. Share any obstacles or challenges you have overcome. Discuss past research experience and tell us about your areas of interest. The more details you can provide with your research interests, the better we can match you with a faculty or scientist mentor.
- Two recommendation letters. Students must use the Equity program recommendation form. One of the letters must be from a college science teacher. The second recommendation can be from a community leader, teacher, coach, counselor, etc. Recommendations are due February 11, 2019, and must be submitted using this online portal.
If you have questions or need more information, contact the Center for Diversity and Inclusion.
Frequently asked questions
You qualify if you meet the following criteria:
- Have completed at least one undergraduate college year by the start date of the program.
- Have completed at least one course in the basic sciences (some tracks require a lab component) and mathematics or statistics.
- You come from either an underrepresented minority background, have experienced economic hardship, are first in your family to attend college or have experienced other economic, educational, ethnic/cultural, family circumstance hardships.
- Economically disadvantaged students are defined as individuals who come from a low-income family, using low income levels specified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a guideline. Socially disadvantaged students come from an environment that may inhibit them from obtaining knowledge, skills or abilities required to enroll and successfully complete an undergraduate or graduate course of study that could lead to a career in the health sciences. This category includes, but is not restricted to, students whose parents did not attend or complete college.
- You are a U.S. citizen, permanent U.S. resident, or an eligible DACA student (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). A DACA applicant must have an employment authorization card via USCIS.
Unfortunately, no.
The program is open to current college students seeking their first bachelor's degree. If you anticipate receiving your bachelor's degree in spring 2019, you are eligible to apply.
The number of available positions usually depends on funding and the availability of mentors. Last year, we welcomed 30 interns to the Equity program.
We expect to notify all applicants in late February.
Equity Research interns are expected to participate full-time, from approximately 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday. In addition, interns are asked to prepare a poster presentation of their research project and may be asked to attend other seminars. Therefore, it is not advisable that interns pursue other coursework during the program.
We strive to match scholars and mentors based on research interests, however not all OHSU researchers are available to serve as mentors during any given summer. The more explicit you are about your research interests, the better we can match you with a mentor.
You will be in your mentor's laboratory or office at one of OHSU's campuses on Marquam Hill in Portland, South Waterfront in Portland or West Campus in Beaverton.
Limited support may be available for housing assistance. Please indicate on the application if you need housing.
The program does not typically have funds to support participants' travel to Portland. The program directors may consider supporting travel if sufficient funding is in place.