NOTE: Program Suspended with effect from Summer 2019. No new applications in Fall 2018.

2014 HHMI EXROP Students

2014 HHMI EXROP Students

Aims of Program

HHMI EXROP’s goal is to ensure that a diverse and highly trained workforce is available to assume leadership roles in science, including college and university faculty who have the responsibility to develop the next generation of scientists. The EXROP Program links the resources of HHMI’s Science and Science Education departments to provide bright, motivated undergraduate students from disadvantaged backgrounds and groups traditionally underrepresented in the sciences with outstanding summer research experiences. HHMI continues to work with EXROP students after their summer study programs to encourage them to pursue careers in academic science.

By Nomination Only

Application to the program is by nomination only from an HHMI professor or a director of an HHMI-funded undergraduate program at a college or university. At present, we are able to nominate two Smith College students for HHMI EXROP. Smithies have participated in HHMI EXROP (2014: 3, 2015: 3, 2016: 2, 2017: 1, 2018: 2).  Read about the experiences of Smith College students here.

Benefits

In Summer 2018, each participating student will receive a $5,000 stipend to cover routine living expenses (e.g., meals and local transportation). In addition, HHMI will arrange for and pay all reasonable travel and summer housing program costs. 2018 EXROP students will attend two annual EXROP meetings at HHMI HQ in May 2018 and May 2019, as well as be eligible to apply for future research support opportunities (including the possibility of PhD funding through the Gilliam Fellows program). EXROP Fellows may be offered the opportunity of a second summer of funded research (the “capstone”); 2018 EXROP Fellows may be offered this opportunity in Summer 2019. 

Eligibility

  • Students should be from a disadvantaged background or from a social group which is under-represented in the sciences. Note carefully the examples in the HHMI EXROP Program Announcement.
  • Students should have the potential and maturity to excel in an independent research project and to go on to graduate work. Prior research experience is not required, though past years’ feedback has told us that research experience is helpful. HHMI is looking for students with clear potential to excel in graduate work and to become leaders in academic science.
  • Students must plan to be enrolled at Smith in the fall following their EXROP summer experience. Therefore, new applications are most appropriate from sophomores and juniors.
  • Students must be available to commit to at least 10 weeks for a summer research experience.
  • Students should be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or immigrants who intend to stay in the U.S. Students must be able to complete federal tax forms and provide HHMI with their US taxpayer identification information to receive the $5,000 stipend.

Note: If you are an academically strong student, have research experience, and are interested in summer research with HHMI scientists, but don’t meet all of the HHMI EXROP eligibility criteria, consider the HHMI Janelia Undergraduate Scholars Program.

Apply – NOTE: The HHMI EXROP Program has been suspended indefinitely wef Summer 2019. Therefore, no applications will be accepted in Fall 2018 for new participants to the program.

  • The Science Center call for (self-)nominations is made in September or early October. The self-nomination form is here.
  • Self-nominations should be made no later than late October.
  • Notification of Smith College nominees in late October/early November.
  • HHMI EXROP online application prepared (will open November 1st and the completion deadline is December 1st)
  • Award notification in mid-January with approximately ten days for students to decide whether to accept or decline.

For more information on EXROP, please visit: http://www.hhmi.org/grants/individuals/exrop.html