BRITE Science Trainees Advancing Through Research and Scholarship (STARS) Program

Most biomedical disciplines face a chronic shortage of skilled researchers from diverse backgrounds who are adequately prepared and motivated to pursue doctoral studies. As a minority-serving and a top-ranked institution for social mobility with a recently established medical school, Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is ideally suited to address this disparity in biomedical workforce by implementing the proposed Science Trainees Advancing Through Research and Scholarship (STARS) program for the students underrepresented in the biomedical sciences (UBS). The trainees will participate in a cluster of rigorous skill and career development training programs, interdisciplinary research activities in biomedical subfields including molecular and developmental biology, microbiology biochemistry, genetics, neurotoxicology, epidemiology, and nutrition, and dissemination of research outcomes through this robust 3-year intensively-mentored program.

Are you interested in a career carrying out important research to cure diseases, develop the medicines of tomorrow, and improve human health? Thanks to a generous program from the U.S. National Institutes of Health, we can help you reach that career and excel by removing financial barriers that might otherwise hold you back, all while helping you develop your research knowledge, skills, and experience. If you are willing to work hard, you can reach a research career and work on solving some of the world’s biggest problems!

Fellows will:

  • Receive a $14,340 trainee stipend each year for three years
  • Have 60% of tuition and fees paid by the program for three years
  • Enroll in a one credit-hour seminar course in Fall 2024 (BIOL 2110)
  • Participate in meetings and activities with other fellows
  • Receive training in research, ethics, scientific writing, and more
  • Receive extensive mentorship support from a team of outstanding faculty
  • Carry out a research project at SHSU
  • Gain experience carrying out paid summer research at one of our outstanding partner biomedical research institutions:G
    • UT MD Anderson Cancer Center Institute for Applied Cancer Science
    • Baylor College of Medicine
    • UT Southwestern Medical Center
  • Have financial support for travel to scientific meetings
  • Get advice and support for applying to graduate programs

Applications are due May 24, 2024, by 5 pm. Note: This deadline has been extended to June 7, by 5pm.

The Call for Applications can be found here: URISE STARS Call 2024-25 extended deadline.pdf

To be added to a mailing list for announcements about the program, and other information, fill out this form: https://shsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e8zcDgYCb8GnFS6

To apply for the award:

  • If you haven't already, provide your contact information on this form (https://shsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e8zcDgYCb8GnFS6) to be added to the information email list. This will ensure that you receive any updates (clarifications of instructions or requirements, any possible deadline extensions, or other useful updates).
  • Review the Call for Applications that describes the program: URISE STARS Call 2024-25 extended deadline.pdf
  • Ask a college instructor if they will write a recommendation letter for you. They can send their recommendation letter to brite@shsu.edu. We recommend including a link to this webpage (https://www.shsu.edu/grants/brite/urise/) in case they want more information about the program.
  • Fill the Application Part One, which is an online form: https://shsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eafnRgM1hN1TtsO.
    • The form asks questions related to eligibility and some preliminary questions about your current knowledge of research careers and graduate school.
    • It also asks for contact information for the college instructor that will write a letter for you. One you submit Application Part One it will send an automatic email to your letter writer with information about the program and a reminder of how to submit the letter. (It is good etiquette to have asked them if they are willing to write the letter before submitting their name and contact information in this step.)
  • Create Application Part Two, a PDF file that contains the items below, and email it to brite@shsu.edu with the subject "URISE BRITE STARS Application" before the application deadline.
    • A one-page essay discussing your biomedical career goals and academic, economic, and social needs. In other words, what are your goals and what challenges do you think could keep you from reaching them? Those can include academic challenges (for example, concern about passing math or getting high enough grades for graduate school), economic challenges (I don't think I can afford to go to graduate school, or have to work so many hours it doesn't leave enough time to study), social needs (not feeling like you belong, feeling like an imposter) or other challenges.
    • A resume or curriculum vitae (no specific format is required, but it should list your education, work experience, any volunteer activities you have participated in, and any research experience that you have had).
  • It is a good idea to check-in and remind your recommendation letter writer about the rec letter a few days before the deadline (if you aren't sure it was submitted yet at that time).

If you have questions, please email us at brite@shsu.edu.