Penn McNair Scholars generally spend six weeks on campus during the summer prior to their junior year, taking courses in research methods and conducting a literature search as preparation for doing a research project under faculty supervision. During the second summer, Penn McNairs generally participate in research internships at prospective graduate schools. During the academic year, McNair Scholars participate in seminars and GRE preparation workshops, travel to conferences and prospective graduate schools, and engage in other activities which support and encourage high levels of academic achievement. Scholars may expand upon their summer research projects by doing independent study or an honors thesis.  The program offers formal and informal opportunities to meet with faculty members and graduate students. Each Scholar is assigned a Faculty Research Mentor and a Graduate Student Mentor to guide the research process. McNair Scholars present their research at national conferences and at Penn's Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships.

Summer Undergraduate Minority Research (SUMR) Program in Health Services
To prepare top candidates to pursue careers in health services research, the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (LDI) and the Health Care Systems Department of the the Wharton School are co-sponsoring a summer program for rising undergraduate juniors and seniors.

Summer Undergraduate Internship Program (SUIP) in the Biomedical Sciences
The internship program provides an intense research experience to students interested in graduate study in the biomedical and biological sciences. Interns complete ten weeks of full-time laboratory research, attend state-of-the-art research seminars, and receive career counseling from program faculty and administrators. The program seeks to encourage and prepare talented students to pursue careers in scholarly research. 

Minority International Research Training Program(MIRT)
Summer internships in biological sciences in Paris, Scotland, Belgium, Israel, Tokyo, Holland and India. See the website for full program information or contact: Dr. Robert Nicholls, Director, M.I.R.T., University of Pennsylvania, 417 Anatomy Chemistry/6110; Tel: 215 - 898-0919; e-mail: mirt@mail.med.upenn.edu.

Summer Internships in Sensor Technology (SUNFEST)
Summer internships in sensor technologies: Physical ( flow, force, thermal, ultrasound, etc.); Micromechanical Structures; Chemical and Biological (potentiometric, thermal, solid fluid interactions); Optical (intelligent and biologically-based sensors); Artificial Neural Systems for Sensory Applications See the web site or contact Ms. Lois Clearfield at 215-898-7116, Center for Sensor Technologies, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6390. Professor J. Van der Spiegel, Director.

Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter Internships
Summer internships on the Penn campus at the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center. See the web site or contact: Dr. A. R. McGhie, Associate Director, Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter, University of Pennsylvania, 3231 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6202; Tel. (215) 898-6461, Fax (215) 898-8296, e-mail: mcghie@lrsm.upenn.edu

Undergraduate Research at the Nano-Bio Interface
The Penn program combines a rich research experience in nanobiotechnology with structured professional development focused on cross-cultural issues. The focus of the research is molecular interactions at the interface of physical and biological systems organized around themes of molecular motion, opto electronic function of biomolecules, and single molecule probes. Faculties from two universities collaborate to provide a rich research experience for undergraduate students. Our strategy is to constitute a student body that is 50% Hispanic and 50% non Hispanic so that role-playing, communications, ethics, etc can be developed around a specific cultural example.

Leadership Alliance Internships
Research internships in the biological sciences, humanities and social sciences under the supervision of a University of Pennsylvania faculty mentor. Application is through the Leadership Alliance. Box 1963, Providence, RI 02912.

NSF "Research Experiences for Undergraduates" Programs
The National Science Foundation makes possible a number of opportunities for undergraduates to join research projects each summer. This allows students to experience first-hand how basic research is carried out, and to contribute consequentially. The principal support by NSF of such activities is through the Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program. REU "Sites" are established in all fields of science, mathematics, and engineering. Each Site consists of a group of ten or so undergraduates, who work in the research programs of the host institution. Students are in general accepted from throughout the country. Each student is assigned to a specific research project, where he/she works closely with the faculty, post-docs, and graduate students. Students are granted stipends, and in some cases assistance with housing and travel. Students who are in those groups traditionally under-represented in science (women, members of under-represented minorities, and those with disabilities) are particularly urged to apply. [ To top of page ]

Predoctoral Fellowships