ASM's Microbiology Undergraduate Research Fellowship (MURF) - formerly ASM Minority Undergraduate Research Fellowship
The Program
The goal of the Microbiology Undergraduate Research Fellowship (MURF) program is to increase the number of underrepresented undergraduate students who wish to, and have demonstrated the ability to pursue graduate careers (Ph.D. or MD/Ph.D.) in microbiology. Students will have the opportunity to conduct full time summer research with an ASM member at their home institution or at a host institution, and present research results at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students and the ASM General Meeting.
Students will:
Agree to participate in an undergraduate summer research program at a U.S. based institution
Conduct a research project for a minimum of 10 weeks beginning in the summer of 2009
Work with a faculty mentor who is an ASM member
Submit a research abstract to the 2009 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS)
Submit a research abstract to ASM for presentation at the 2010 ASM General Meeting.
The fellowship allows students to decide the institution, research area, and level of activity for the summer. Based on interests, independence, and ability, students can choose the model that best meets their needs.
The ASM MURF host institution program offers two models for students to choose from: Traditional and Community based.
Community Based Program
In this model, clusters of ASM Fellows (5-8) are placed at the same institution to conduct basic science research for 10-12 weeks. Fellows will participate in a weekly seminar series, journal club, GRE preparatory course, graduate admission counseling and career counseling.
Traditional Program
In this model, an ASM fellow has the choice of remaining at their home institution or request to be placed at a host U.S. Institution of the student's choice to conduct basic science research.
From a list provided on the application, students interested in conducting research at a host institution will select three institutions where they would like to conduct their summer research. Every effort will be made to place fellows at their first choice. Fellows will conduct research for a period of 10-12 weeks. In most cases, the student will be the only ASM fellow at that institution and will become a participant of a larger summer program already in existence at the institution. Opportunities will be available for the fellow to participate in activities established by the host institution (i.e. poster presentations, journal clubs, social activities, etc.) Summer activities vary at each institution.
Fellows selecting to remain at their home institution will conduct research for a period of 10-12 weeks with an ASM faculty mentor at their home institutions.
Please note that ASM will offer only the traditional program for the 2009 funding cycle.
Eligibility
Eligible student candidates for the fellowship must be from groups that have been determined by the applicant's institution to be underrepresented in the microbiological sciences. The ASM encourages institutions to identify individuals that have been historically underrepresented, and remain underrepresented today in the microbiological sciences nationally. These groups include African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, and Pacific Islanders.
In addition, applicants must also:
Be U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident
Be enrolled as full-time matriculating undergraduate students during the 2009-2010 academic year at an accredited U.S. institution
Be either freshmen with college level research experience, sophomores, juniors, or seniors who will not graduate before the completion date of the summer program
Be members of an underrepresented group in microbiology
Have taken introductory courses in biology, chemistry, and preferably microbiology prior to submission of the application
Have strong interests in obtaining a Ph.D., or M.D./Ph.D. in the microbiological sciences, and
Have lab research experience.
Funding
The MURF program is supported by funds provided by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM).
The program provides a total funding of up to $5,850.
Up to $3,500 for student stipend
Up to $850 for student lodging
Up to $500 for roundtrip travel to the host institution (if applicable)
Two-year ASM student membership
Up to $1,000 in travel support to attend 2010 ASM General Meeting.
Travel support will be provided for students who will present the results of their research project at the 2010 ASM General Meeting. Travel funds are contingent upon acceptance of an abstract for the General Meeting.
Criteria of Selection
Student applicants should be able to demonstrate:
Academic achievement
Achievement with previous research experiences or independent projects
Commitment to research
Career goals as a research scientist
Personal motivation to participate in the program
Willingness to conduct summer research with an ASM member at their home institution or at a sponsoring U.S institution
Leadership skills
Involvement in activities that serve the needs of underrepresented groups.
Deadline
February 1st
For more information, contact:
Microbiology Undergraduate Research Fellowship
Education Board
American Society for Microbiology
1752 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202-942-9283/Fax: 202-942-9329
fellowships-careerinformation@asmusa.org
