NIDDK Short-term Education Program for Underrepresented Persons (STEP-UP)

Program Purpose:

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease’s STEP-UP Program is designed to provide short-term research education for high school and/or undergraduate students from racial and ethnic minority or disadvantaged backgrounds to expose them to research within the mission area of NIDDK. 

The Program exposes students to research in areas of diabetes, endocrinology, metabolism, nutrition, obesity, digestive, liver, urologic, kidney, and hematologic diseases.

The Program provides support for 8 - 10 consecutive weeks of basic or clinical research education and training during the summer provided by experienced faculty currently active in research related to the mission of NIDDK.

Eligible Students (At the time the research begins):

• High school students who have completed the tenth grade
• Undergraduate students who have completed at least one year at an accredited institution
• U.S. Citizens, non-citizen nationals, or legal permanent residents

Provisions:

High School Program

• Student Participation Allowances ($2300) for high school students
• Education-related expenses provided to the mentors
• All Travel expenses to the Annual High School Scientific Session and Research Presentations (Mid August) at NIH in Bethesda, Maryland

Undergraduate Program

• Student Participation Allowance ($4000) for undergraduates
• Education-related expenses provided to the mentors
• Travel expenses to the Annual Undergraduate Research Training Symposium in May  at the NIH
• Travel expenses to the Annual Undergraduate Scientific Session and Research presentations in August
• Students arrange their own summer housing using the allowance provided. Limited housing is available at select coordinating institutions.

Location and Duration:

• The research experience is provided nationally by experienced investigators in their laboratories for 8 to 10 consecutive weeks during the summer.
• We will match the student with a research mentor at their choice of a research institution when possible.
• There are four National STEP-UP Coordinating Centers where STEP-UP students may choose to do their research. These institutions offer specific tailored research programs. Limited housing may be available at the student’s expense. Please contact the Program Coordinators for each these programs