The Neuroscience Graduate Department hosts the Neuroscience Undergraduate Research Opportunity (NURO). NURO is designed for students who have completed at least one year of undergraduate education and are looking to gain research experience in a neuroscience laboratory.
NURO is supported through a R25 research grant through the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Strokes (NINDS), National Institute of Health and the Neuroscience Graduate Program.
Apply online starting December 1, 2024. Applications are due January 15, 2025 and will include a research/academic statement, a personal statement, resume/CV, and unofficial transcript. Two letters of recommendation are required, one of which must be from someone at your current institution. Both should be able to comment about your motivation and potential for the research program. Letters must be uploaded by January 22, 2025.
The Neuroscience Graduate Program hosts the Neuroscience Undergraduate Research Opportunity (NURO) program, which includes NIH NINDS funded positions that allow Ann Arbor Metro Area undergraduate students to explore the field of neuroscience. This novel year-round program provides participants with research experiences in a variety of neuroscience subdisciplines, including behavioral and systems, cognitive, computational, developmental, molecular and cellular, and sensory.
Program Dates: NURO is a year-round program that includes a 10-week full-time summer program from Memorial Day Weekend to early August, plus continued part-time research through the academic year.
- More than $6,000 summer stipend plus $15 per hour during academic year
- Summer housing provided by program
- Travel to and from the program site
- Modest summer food allowance along with numerous meals at workshops and social
events
- In accordance with NIH guidelines, applicants must be US Citizens or Permanent Residents
- Students majoring in biochemistry, biology, biophysics, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, psychology, or related STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) discipline
- Strong interest in pursuing a PhD in the biomedical sciences
- Must have successfully completed two semesters of an undergraduate program by the start of the summer NURO program and have at least one semester remaining after the summer program
- Have personal medical/health insurance coverage (including emergency room and coverage while in Michigan) for the duration of the program
- Participants must be available for the duration of the program from start to finish. Any vacations, summer coursework, or other summer employment would need to take place outside of this time frame.
- University of Michigan (Ann Arbor campus) students are NOT eligible
Preference will be given to:
- Students from within a short (<60 min) driving distance of Ann Arbor.
- Students with limited access to research resources and/or limited research experience.
- Students from groups that are historically underrepresented in STEM graduate
education are encouraged to apply.
The Neuroscience Graduate Program is excited to offer NURO as a year-round experience. Learn more about application details by viewing our FAQ.
- Students will gain research experience through research projects designed and
supervised by faculty and lab mentors - Weekly summer workshops and monthly academic year workshops will help students
focus on bridging their aspirations to future research careers - Social events with UM Neuroscience Graduate Program faculty and students
- An applied improvisation course during the summer and various communication labs
will help students develop confidence in public speaking, collaboration, and creativity - Symposia at the end of summer and end of spring will allow students to present their
work in several formats to peers, mentors, and beyond
Would you like more information about the NURO and SIREN programs? For administrative information, please contact Ms. Valerie Smith. For questions related to applications and programming for SIREN or NURO, please contact Dr. Keith Duncan. Don't forget to check the FAQ for our programs as well.
