Are you an undergraduate STEM major attending an Idaho institution of higher education who wants to do hands-on research? Will you be graduating (with a bachelor’s degree) in December 2026 or later?
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The Idaho INBRE program is offering paid summer research awards for students interested in biomedical research. The Idaho INBRE Undergraduate Research program is a competitive monetary award for students (INBRE Undergraduate Researchers) to conduct mentored research. The program pays each awarded INBRE student to work full-time (40hrs/week) in an established faculty laboratory for 10 weeks during the summer. In addition to conducting guided research, INBRE Summer Undergraduate Research students will attend professional development and scientific seminar presentations and will prepare a poster highlighting their work to be presented at a professional research conference.
Steps to complete your application:
- Choose a Faculty Preceptor – the list of faculty preceptors is in the left column at Research Preceptors – Idaho INBRE.
- Contact Preceptor – Talk with your chosen preceptor before submitting your application and be sure they agree to mentor you if you are selected. If you are unfamiliar with the faculty on your campus, reach out to your INBRE Campus Leader for assistance. Click here for INBRE Campus Leader contact information.
- Complete application.
- Obtain/Submit a copy of your most recent college transcripts – unofficial copies are acceptable. Be sure to save the transcripts in an easily accessible PDF format.
- Identify 1 reference and invite them to submit their reference using the ‘Register References’ tab in the left-hand column of the online application form – references from science faculty/instructors are preferred. The Register References tab is available as soon as you begin your application so invite your references early! References are due on February 1, 2026.
- Submit the Application form by the due date of February 1, 2026.
The Idaho INBRE Summer Undergraduate Research program is competitive. The number of applications we receive will exceed the available positions. To be considered for an Idaho INBRE Summer Undergraduate Research award we must receive your completed application including transcripts and reference by the due date of February 1, 2026. We cannot consider incomplete packets.
Awards will be announced mid-February 2026.
How are students selected to be INBRE Summer Undergraduate Researchers?
INBRE Undergraduate Researchers are the best and brightest undergraduate students in Idaho. The selection process is competitive and rigorous. Students submit an application packet that includes a few short essays, one reference, and their college transcript(s). Preference will be given to Idaho residents.
Requirements for being an INBRE Summer Undergraduate Researcher:
1. Students must currently be enrolled at an Idaho institution.
2. Students must be graduating with a bachelor’s degree on or after December 2026. Students graduating May or August 2026 are not eligible for awards in 2026.
Criteria for selection:
The following criteria are used by Idaho INBRE when choosing Summer Undergraduate Researchers. These criteria are considered as a ‘whole’, and not necessarily in the order listed.
1. Interest in biomedical science and research
2. Academic record, including science classes taken
3. Reference
4. Date of expected graduation
5. Current institution – with consideration given for the research opportunities available to you at that institution
6. Family educational background
7. State in which you graduated high school (preference is given to those graduating from an Idaho high school or high school in a Western INBRE state)
8. Challenges you have overcome to obtain your education
Below is the Summer Research Plan template for students at the University of Idaho, only. Research plans for other institutions should be submitted to the INBRE campus leader and/or student coordinator on your individual campus.
