Summer Medical Research Training (SMaRT) Program
Program Mission Heading link
This summer training program offers specialized medical research training to current college students. This program begins in the first or second week of June.
The students will complete a two-month intensive training program in medical research at the basic research laboratories of the University of Illinois Chicago Health Sciences Campus-Rockford. During this training, the students are expected to gain significant hands-on experience in planning and successful execution of a medical research project, critically analyzing scientific data and presenting information to a group of judges. The selected student will work closely with various research faculty and staff at the College of Medicine Rockford on cutting-edge techniques and their application in biomedical research. After the program, students present their scientific data as a poster and an oral presentation at the college’s SMaRT Scientific Forum.
SMaRT is a highly competitive program. Students are selected based on their academic merit, a personal interview, and their interest in pursuing a career in medical science or a related field.
The SMaRT Scientific Forum is held at the beginning of August. Students will present their experience through oral presentations and scientific posters.
The program provides a stipend and research fellowship to the selected students. Funding for the SMaRT program is generously provided by the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford.
How to Apply Heading link
Gather the following for your application:
- Essay
- Resume
- Transcripts
Three letters of reference to be sent separately. See Requirements below.
Application closed for 2024 season.
Requirements Heading link
Please attached the following items when submitting your application:
- Double-spaced 1,000-word essay on what you hope to gain from this program and how it will influence your future.
- Resume including activities, memberships, honors/awards, work experience, and/or previous lab experience.
- College/University transcripts. These do not need to be originals.
Three (3) signed letters of reference that include contact information for the references need to be submitted separately by the individual providing the reference. Individuals providing a student reference should each email the signed letter to biomed@uic.edu by Monday, April 1, 2024. Reference documents should be submitted as either a Word document (.doc or .docx) or PDF file. All emailed references need to include:
- “Reference submission for [ENTER STUDENT NAME HERE] 2024 SMaRT Program for College Students” note in subject line of email
- Student’s full name
- School student attends
- Reference’s full name
- Reference’s contact information including a cell phone number and email address
Cost Heading link
There is NO cost for this program. You will be paid a stipend provided by the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford.
Important Dates Heading link
June 10–August 2, 2024 (Tentative)
- Application Deadline: Monday, April 1, 2024
- Student Information Night: April 19, 2024
This meeting is to learn about the program and the specific research projects offered. It may be held virtually, via Zoom or Webex. This information will come to you in a separate email with the link. - SMaRT Internship Orientation: Monday, June 10, 2024 (Tentative)
Selected students will begin their paid internship with orientation and training. Orientation begins at 9 a.m. - SMaRT Scientific Forum: Friday, August 2, 2024 (Tentative)
Students will present their experience through oral presentations and scientific posters. More information will follow as the program progresses.