STEP-UP Program
Short-Term Research Experience Program to Unlock Potential—an NIH-sponsored high school summer research experience
Spend your Summer in a Research Lab!
The DNA Learning Center serves as a regional coordinating center for the NIH’s Short-Term Research Experience Program to Unlock Potential (STEP-UP). STEP-UP supports high school students from groups that have been historically excluded from science to spend a summer in a paid 8-week internship at research labs near their home. Students work with scientist mentors on a real research project that will be presented at an end-of-summer symposium. During the school year, STEP-UP also provides mentorship to prepare students for college and future research. STEP-UP is supported by funding from the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), and its Office of Minority Health Research Coordination (OMHRC).
Information for high school student applicants:
- All students must apply and be selected
- Typically, students in and around the northeastern US will be supported by DNALC coordinating center
- See all the application requirements , frequently asked questions, and instructions on how to apply.
- Student application
Information for potential mentors:
- Are you a life or health sciences researcher anywhere in the U.S. who would like to host a high school student? See more details and register your interest.
- Mentor sign-up
For everyone:
- Download and share this program flyer [PDF] with potential students and mentors.
- Video tour of the NIH application website and process:
More questions
- Email us at nih-step-up@cshl.edu
- Opportunity: 8-week paid research internship and school-year mentoring
- Students: Entering grades 11-12
- Mentors: Researchers in the life and health sciences able to host high school students for a summer
Student Application Mentor Sign-up
