Center for Diversity and Inclusion

Equity Research Program

2018 Equity Research Program Interns group photo

The 2018 OHSU Equity Research Program application is now closed. Please check back in early 2019.

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. Students can apply to one of the six tracks available:

  • 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 (Biomedical Science, Dental, Health Systems & Policy, Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health) 
  • 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 2018 Equity Research Program is scheduled for Monday, June 18 through Friday, August 10, 2018. 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 2018 flyer.

All application materials must be submitted online using the RedCap portal link that will become available when the application opens. 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. You will upload both recommendations as part of the online application (instructions will be provided on application).        

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.
    • Underrepresented students belong to groups that are recognized as historically underrepresented in the health and science professions including: African-American/Black, Native American/Alaska Native, Pacific Islander and Hispanic/Latinos.
    • 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. If you anticipate receiving your bachelor's degree in spring 2018, you are eligible to apply.

The number of available positions usually depends on funding and the availability of mentors. Last year, we welcomed 24 interns to the Equity program. 

We expect to notify all applicants in 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.