Summer Training as Research Scholars Program

The STaRS  application will close on February 1, 2025 at 11:59pm. 

Final decisions will be sent by email between March 15 and early April. 

STaRS Program tentative dates: Monday, June 2, 2025 – Friday, Aug. 8, 2025

Move-in date: Sunday, June 1, 2025

Qualified STaRS applicants must have the following: 

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. 
• Be a rising junior or rising senior at the start of Summer 2025 (i.e. graduating 2026 and beyond)
  • *If you are graduating in 2025, please see below.
• Currently enrolled in a STEM** degree program, part-time or full-time, leading to a Bachelor’s degree. 
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). 
• Have an interest in biological research 
• Have some prior research experience 
• Three letters of recommendation 

* Attention Seniors and Recent Grads: GMS has a one year PREP program for students who are graduating in 2025 and who would like additional research experience before applying to graduate school. 

**STEM = science, technology, engineering and mathematics (e.g, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, earth sciences, health science, information technology, mathematic, and physics) 

BU also hosts other summer research programs for undergraduates in STEM fields: 

To apply to STaRS, you must complete an online application and submit three letters of reference.

While completing the online application, you will be asked for:

• Demographic and contact information
• Description of why you consider yourself to be from a disadvantaged background in biomedical sciences
• Degree program, graduation year, and GPA
• Electronic copy of your transcript (Note: unofficial is OK)
• Resume/CV
• Statement of interest of no more than 4,000 characters (approximately 600 words)
• Top 3 research interests
• Contact information for 3 references

You may return to your application at any time by clicking the “Apply Now” button on the STaRS application webpage. (Please note: to have your information saved, you must access the application from the same computer each time)

Letters of reference must be sent directly to starsgms@bu.edu on or before February 1, 2025. We will only consider applications where the 3 letters of recommendation are received on or before February 1.

• E-mails with letters of recommendation need to have the following subject line: STaRS Program (LEGAL student first and last name)
• File name for the letter of recommendation needs to have: student first name_student last name_recommender first name_recommender last name.

As part of the STaRS program, research scholars will receive:

• Stipend for program participation
• Round trip travel to Boston
• University housing (dormitories)
• Enrollment in 2 summer courses (1 credit each)

During the ten-week onsite summer internship, scholars are immersed in outstanding multidisciplinary research teams that work in diverse aspects of biomedical research, from exploration at the basic science level to translating fundamental discoveries into treatments that improve human health.

Scholars will be mentored on the research team by faculty and team members from Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS). Biomedical laboratories that participate in STaRS reside in various departments and programs on campus. Mentor assignment is based on each scholar’s research interests. After several weeks of gaining familiarity with the methodology and routine of the team, the research scholar will gradually be guided toward development of an independent research project.

The research scholar will present his/her project at the STaRS symposium and the GMS Summer Undergraduate Symposium at the close of the program, which recognize the accomplishment of each scholar of the STaRS cohort.

STaRS participants are trained in a number of topics, including basic research principles, responsible conduct of research, research advancements, career development, applying to a PhD or an MD/PhD program in the biomedical sciences, and scientific communication skills, including oral communication, writing abstracts, and preparing and presenting a poster.

Research scholars can also participate in a variety of enrichment and professional development activities offered through Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS), departments and/or their research team. These activities include research seminars, data talks, and journal clubs.

STaRS organizes a networking event, Game Night, where STaRS scholars meet and interact with students from other summer research programs at BU (from the Charles River and the Medical campuses). These students often meet to do activities together afterwards.

The program also plans optional activities (e.g., tours through Boston or Cambridge), and encourages STaRS scholars to organize activities together and with other student groups.

STaRS is located at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine in the South End of Boston, a small, multicultural neighborhood with a lively arts community. As a major college-oriented city, Boston offers many cultural and recreational activities to engage the varied interests of a large and diverse student population. STaRS encourages research scholars to explore Boston, visit its many neighborhoods and major attractions, and meet other like-minded students while enjoying summer in the city.