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 group; have experienced economic hardship; are first in your family to attend college; have experienced other economic, educational, ethnic/cultural, family circumstance hardships; or a student with disability.

  • 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.
  • The term "disability" is defined by the federal government in various ways, depending on the context. For the purposes of federal disability nondiscrimination laws (such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Section 188 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), the definition of a person with a disability is typically defined as someone who (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more "major life activities," (2) has a record of such an impairment, or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment. More information on federal disability non-discrimination laws, visit DOL's Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor.
• 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 2022, you are eligible to apply.

The number of available positions usually depends on funding and the availability of mentors. Last year, we welcomed 31 interns to the Equity program. 

We expect to notify all applicants by the end of March 2022.

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.

Depending on your assignment, you could be onsite or remote. If on site, 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.