Summer Program in the Neurological Sciences and Other Neuroscience Research Training and Funding Opportunities

If you need assistance please contact Mr. Tony Casco or Dr. Rita Ward.

From the Director
About the Program
Hints on How to Apply and Compete
Links to Information About the Students
Other Neuroscience Research Training and Funding Opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
Information for the Incoming Class of 2009

Clinical and Basic Neuroscience Labs
Neuroscience at NIH
Investigators with Opportunities for Students
Other Summer Opportunities

Contact Information for Mr. Tony Casco
Building 10/5N254
Bethesda, MD 20892
Phone - 301-443-1910
Email - cascod@ninds.nih.gov

Contact Information for Dr. Rita Ward
35 Convent Drive
Building 10/5N254
Bethesda, MD 20892
Phone - 301-594-9562
Fax - 301-496-4276
Email - wardr@ninds.nih.gov

From the Director

It is my pleasure to welcome you to this web site on the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke's Summer Program in the Neurological Sciences, a student research training program in brain and nervous system research. As one of 27 Institutes and Centers comprising the National Institutes of Health, NINDS has occupied a central position in the world of neuroscience for over 50 years. Our mission is to perform neuroscience research in order to reduce the burden borne by every age group, by every segment of society, and by people all over the world. To this end, the Institute supports and conducts research on the healthy and diseased brain, spinal cord, muscle, and peripheral nerves.

Hundreds of disorders afflict the nervous system. Common killers and disablers such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, autism, and muscular dystrophy are well known. Other disorders we study may be known only to the patients and families affected, their doctors, and scientists who look to rare disorders for help in understanding the brain as well as treating more common diseases.

This is a time of accelerating progress and increasing hope in the battle against brain disease. Advances in understanding the nervous system are beginning to pay off in the form of treatments for previously intractable problems including spinal cord injury, acute stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. We are fortunate to have this first-rate research training program in the neurosciences which gives students the chance to learn and participate in hands-on clinical and basic neuroscience research with the hope that they will pursue careers in this burgeoning field.

Today's students are tomorrow's scientific investigators, conducting cutting-edge biomedical research that will lead to new ideas, theories, hypotheses, and treatments to help improve the health of the Nation.

Story C. Landis, Ph.D.
Director, NINDS

This web site provides links to key information for students selected for the Class of 2009.

About the Program

The Summer Program in the Neurological Sciences offers a unique opportunity for academically talented high school, undergraduate, graduate, and medical students to receive first-rate training in neuroscience research. Students get hands-on experience working with leading scientists in the Institute's Division of Intramural Research, the "in-house" research component of the NINDS. NINDS Labs are located in Bethesda, Rockville and Cape Cod, Massachussetts.

The NINDS purpose in awarding student internships is to provide students with a highly stimulating and rewarding summer research experience, with a view towards encouraging students to pursue advanced education and training in the biomedical sciences and future careers in scientific investigation, particularly basic and clinical research in the neurological sciences. Summer research training is designed to supplement and give practical meaning to students' academic course work. At the same time, students will make a valuable contribution to the NINDS research mission.

At the end of the summer, students participate in the NIH Summer Research Program Poster Day. Poster Day gives students the opportunity to present their summer research before the NIH scientific community. Students also participate in meetings and seminars in their individual laboratories. In addition, students attend formal lectures and symposia dealing with the newest advances in health research.

Hints on How to Apply and Compete

Opportunities Are Plentiful, But You Must Apply. Read the advice of two NINDS summer scholars

1. Apply electronically on the NIH web site--If you have an interest in an internship in the neurosciences or brain and nervous system research, select THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE in item #9 on the application.
2. Inquire early about application deadlines
   
3. Do a good cover letter describing your interest in health-related research, future academic plans, and reasons for seeking an internship at the NIH.
   
4. Proof your Application
   1. Include information on past research experience, science awards, honors, student programs and participation in scientific meetings and poster sessions-attached copies of abstracts and scientific papers
      
   2. Recommendation letters from science faculty, preceptors, etc. that have direct knowledge of your scientific interests and abilities
      
   3. Graduating seniors, include information that you have been accepted to an academic institution at the next educational level, e.g., acceptance letter to college, professional school, etc.
      
5. Visit the various NINDS Research Labs and NIH Research Labs web sites.
   
   
6. Also visit the web sites of NIH Institutes and Centers

Links to Information About the Students

What's New at NINDS

Former Students Reflect on Summer Research
How I Spent My Summer, by JT Stranix
Summer Research Experience by Nathan Rowland
Summer Students at the NIH/NINDS, by Lucy Boyce Kennedy
My Summers at the NIH/NINDS, by Yixiao (Peter) Zou

2008 Exceptional Summer Student Award Winners

Alexis Barton
Allison Brusati
Anastasia Ford
Caitlin Askew
Christopher Hansen
Christina Bratlund
David Bates
Grenye O'Malley
Jennifer Gao
Jeremy Goodman
Justin Roberts
Kelsey Ladt
Lucy Kennedy
Matthew Fifer
Melissa Crowder
Min Wu
Neha Jakhete
Oladi Bentho
Tracy Ma
Ugonma Chukwueke

Other Neuroscience Research Training and Funding Opportunities

Postdoctoral Training

NIH Academy

NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program

Clinical Electives in Medical or Surgical Neurology
For more information, please contact Dr. Barbara I. Karp.

Clinical Research Training Program for Medical and Dental Students
A 1- to 2-year tutorial program for students who have completed their third year of medical or dental school.

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute-NIH Research Scholars Program
For Medical and Dental Students

The Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award
For recent college graduates who plan to apply to graduate or professional school. For more information about the program, please visit the Web Site

Technical Intramural Research Training Award
For individuals with a bachelor or master's degree who aspire to careers as research support professionals.

Interim or Year-Off Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA)
Fellowships: For graduate or medical students who desire an interim or year-off research experience.

NIH Biomedical Engineering Summer Internship Program

NINDS Medical Student Scholars Program

NINDS Medical Student Duel-Degree MD/PhD or MD/MPH Fellowships

NIH Predoctoral Fellowship Awards for Minority Students

NIH Predoctoral Fellowship Awards for Students with Disabilities

National Research Service Awards for Individual Predoctoral Fellows

Institutional Research Training Programs: Increasing Diversity

NIH Loan Repayment Progrm

Graduate Partnership Program

Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP, leading to the combined M.D.-Ph.D. degree)

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Deadline for Receiving Applications?

All application information should be at the NIH by March 1, 2009.

How do I Apply for the Program?

You can apply electronically for the Program on the NIH web site. For the Summer Program in the Neurological Sciences, select the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in the Assignment Preferences area (#9) on the application.

What are the Citizenship Requirements?

Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. U.S. citizens may submit a copy of their birth certificate or passport. Permanent residents will need to provide a copy of their alien registration card.

How Long is the Program?

Length of program is going to vary between students. Most students stay a minimum of about two months.

How are Selections Made?

Selections are made by NINDS research scientists and are highly competitive.

Graduating Seniors

Graduating seniors who are selected for the program must provide
evidence that they have been accepted to an accredited institution at the next education level (e.g., acceptance letter to college or a professional school).

Do Students Receive a Salary or Stipend?

Students do receive a salary. Salaries are subject to yearly adjustments. Information concerning direct deposit to the NIH Credit Union and area banks will be provided when you report for work.

If you are receiving a Salary you will be paid every 2 weeks. Please Note: it will take approximately 3 weeks before you get your first pay check. Information concerning Direct Deposit to a Bank, the NIH Credit Union, and area Banks will be provided when you report for work.

Is There a Start Date for the Program?

There is no set 'Start Date' for all students, however students usually start when their Spring semester at school is over and end before their Fall semester begins.

Will Funds be Provided for Travel Expenses?

No. Students are responsible for their own travel expenses to and from the NIH Campus.

Will Housing be Provided for Students?

Housing is not available on the NIH campus. The telephone number for the NIH Recreation and Welfare Association Housing Office is 301-496-4600. For the housing directory on the Internet go to http://www.recgov.org/housing/housing.html. For information on colleges and universities offering housing opportunities for students, go to http://www.training.nih.gov/student/sip/faq.asp and scroll down to Living Arrangements.

Please visit this web site for American University Summer Intern Housing:
American University Housing Service
4400 Massachusetts Ave, N.W.
Washington, DC 20016
On-Campus Housing:(202)885-2599
Off-Campus Housing:(202)885-3370
Web Site:http://www.american.edu/ocl.housing
(Approximately 5 miles from NIH, near Tenleytown Metro Stop, Red Line)

Do Students have a Research Project?

Under the supervision of a preceptor, students work as part of a research team conducting clinical and basic research in the neurological sciences in the Institute's Division of Intramural Research.

Will Information be Provided Concerning Safety?

Yes, information will be provided to all NIH summer students concerning Laboratory Safety Training.

Parking Permits

Students are allowed, free of charge, permits for off campus parking at Mid-Pike Plaza. Please see http://parking.nih.gov/ for additional information.

What are Some Key Features of the Program?

• Training and conducting cutting-edge clinical and basic research which will include career mentoring from leading neuroscience investigators;
• Learning new technology, scientific investigation skills, gaining experience in presenting scientific results, learning ethics in biomedical research and the use of information technology for biomedical research;
  
• Attending formal lectures and symposia dealing with the newest advances in health research;
  
• Participating in the NIH's Annual Research Poster Day for Summer Students, a scientific exhibition that allows students an opportunity to discuss their research projects informally with peers and members of the NIH scientific community;
  
• Obtaining key credentials that will help when competing for graduate school, medical school, predoc and postdoc fellowships, and tenure-track positions;
  
• Networking and exchanging information and ideas with other NIH research trainees and investigators; and
  
• Participating in journal clubs, lab seminars, and meetings in individual research labs.

Information for the Incoming Class

This web site provides links to key information for students selected for the Class of 2009.

NIH Visitors and Security
NIH Shuttle Schedule
Questions and Answers About the NIH
Calendar of Events - NIH
Directions to NIH
Finding Your Way Around the NIH
Housing
Map of NIH
Metrorail System Map
NIH Credit Union
NIH Fitness Center
NIH Parking and Transportation
NIH News and Events
Welcome to the NIH

Neuroscience at the NIH
Clinical Trials at NIH
Director's Seminar Series
Eliminating Racial & Ethnic Disparities in Health
Know Your Brain
National Library of Medicine
Neurobiology Interest Group
NIH Intramural Research News
NIH Library Online
NIH Research Training Opportunities
Online Journals
Science Education at the NIH
Wednesday Afternoon Lectures
Laboratory Safety Training
2007 NIH Summer Research Program Handbook (PDF)
Guidelines for Conduct of Research

Please send comments, suggestions or questions about this web site to Mr. Tony Casco.