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HEART-GeN Summer Scholar Program

The HEART-GeN Summer Scholar Program is a paid, full-time summer research experience hosted by the HEART-GeN Lab at Northwestern University’s medical campus in Chicago, IL.

Scholars receive structured training in computational biology, genomic neuroscience, and scientific communication while embedded in an active research lab committed to health equity and diverse scientific excellence.

This is a defined enrichment program, not a general assistantship. Scholars complete a structured curriculum, contribute to ongoing research, and leave with tangible skills, a research report, and a network of mentors.

Scholar Tracks

Underclassmen Scholar

Open to: Incoming first-year students and rising sophomores at any accredited college or university Stipend: $4,000 (fixed, for the 10-week program)

Eligibility

  • Incoming first-year student (fall enrollment confirmed) or rising sophomore
  • Not currently eligible for or enrolled in any Northwestern-sponsored undergraduate summer research program
  • No prior research experience required

Upperclassmen Scholar

Open to: Rising juniors and rising seniors Stipend: $7,000 (fixed, for the 10-week program)

Eligibility

  • Rising junior or rising senior at any accredited college or university
  • At least one academic year of prior research experience (any field)
  • Not eligible for the Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) at Northwestern

Program Details

  • Duration: 10 weeks, full-time (40 hours/week)
  • Location: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
  • Format: In-person

What Scholars Do

All HEART-GeN Summer Scholars engage in hands-on computational research and a structured professional development curriculum.

Research Training

  • Hands-on training in programming for biological data analysis
  • Version control and collaborative research practices (Git/GitHub)
  • Applied statistics for genomics and neuroscience data
  • Reproducible research workflows

Scientific Communication

  • Attend the HEART-GeN Summer Writing Workshop
  • Lead a journal club session on a paper relevant to your project
  • Draft a written report summarizing your summer research
  • Deliver a final oral presentation to the lab and invited guests

Mentorship

  • Weekly one-on-one meetings with Dr. Benjamin
  • Near-peer mentorship from senior undergraduates, graduate students, and lab research staff
  • CV/resume development workshop
  • Graduate school and career panel with current PhD students and researchers

Community

  • Welcome and closing social events with the full lab
  • Access to Northwestern’s medical campus resources, library, and scientific community
  • Certificate of completion

How to Apply

Application deadline: March 27, 2026.

Applications are now open: Apply here

Application Materials

All tracks

  • Brief statement on why HEART-GeN and your interests (250 words max)
  • 1-page resume

Underclassmen Scholar only

  • Unofficial transcript or coursework list
  • Describe a time you worked through a difficult problem (this does not need to be academic)

Upperclassmen Scholar only

  • Brief description of prior research (2-3 sentences): what lab, what you did, and what you learned

The HEART-GeN Lab is committed to building a diverse scientific community. Students from groups historically underrepresented in genomics, neuroscience, and computational biology are especially encouraged to apply.

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