The Summer Intensive Research Experience in Neuroscience (SIREN) is designed for students who have completed at least one year of undergraduate education at an institution with limited, if any, opportunities to gain research experience.
SIREN is supported through a National Science Foundation Division of Biological Sciences Research Experiences for Undergraduates award.
You can apply online starting December 1, 2023. Click here to view the application overview.
Letters of Recommendation- two letters of recommendation are required. One letter must be from someone at your current institution. One letter must be from someone who knows you academically (can be from your current institution or a previous institution).
If one letter writer fits both criteria a second letter is still required. Letters must be uploaded by January 22, 2024.
This 10 week program provides undergraduate students with a research experience in the areas of behavioral and systems neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, molecular and cellular neuroscience, developmental neuroscience, sensory neuroscience and computational neuroscience.
Program Dates: A 10-week program that begins the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend
- More than $6,000 stipend
- Housing provided by program
- Travel to the program site
- Modest 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 at least one academic year of an undergraduate program by the start of the program and not scheduled to graduate before December 2024
- 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 groups that are historically underrepresented in graduate education in the STEM field, including first-generation college students, first-generation US citizens, and students with disabilities
- Students from disadvantaged backgrounds and/or that have experienced financial hardship as a result of family economic circumstances
- Students will gain research experience through research projects designed and supervised by faculty and lab mentors.
- Weekly workshops will help students focus on bridging their aspirations to future research careers.
- Social events with U-M Neuroscience Graduate Program faculty and students
- Journal clubs that will help students focus on expanding their ability to understand primary literature, examine validity, and probe with further questions
- End of program symposium for students to present their summer project with a group of faculty, students and lab personnel
