U-RISE - About
U-RISE Program Requirements and Benefits
Requirements
- Attend 2-day Fall kick-off workshop
- Work 10-15 hours/week as a research assistant in your mentor’s lab during the academic year
- Complete an 8-10-week summer research experience (40 hours/week) at a research-intensive university
- Complete two U-RISE courses (Responsible Conduct of Research and Becoming a Scientist)
- Meet regularly with your mentoring team
- Attend seminars and other activities/trainings at Cal Poly
- Attend scientific meetings to present your research
- Publish research findings with faculty mentor
- Attend cohort-building social events
Eligibility
- Full-time undergraduate Cal Poly student
- Commitment to pursuing a PhD or MD/PhD in biomedical field
- At least two years from graduating or have at least 90 units
- Cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5
- US Citizen, permanent resident, or non-citizen national
Benefits
- Annual income of ~$14,000
- Annual tuition of ~$7,500
- Travel and conference expenses of $1,000 per year
- Materials stipend of $1,000 per year
- Summer research experience: travel, room and board covered + stipend
- Mentoring by program faculty and staff
- Networking opportunities
- 10 hours/week on research project during academic year with Cal Poly mentor
- Summer research experience at research-intensive university
- Coursework
Program Timeline
| Summer 1 | Fall 1 | Winter 1 | Spring 1 | Summer 2 | Fall 2 | Winter 2 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduce research skills, cohort building, meet mentors | Establish mentoring relationships and research skills |
Identify as responsible scientists | Apply to SRE programs |
Prepare for SRE | Extend research skills, build science identity | Graduate education and application preparation | Work 10-15 hours/week in research laboratory with mentor | Scientific dissemination; prepare for transition to graduate school |
| September: 2-day kickoff workshop | Plan for summer research experience (SRE) applications | SCM 240: Becoming a Responsible Scientist | Cohort building event | 8-10 week full time SRE at research-intensive university | SCM 340: Responsible Scientists in Society | Work 10-15q hours/week in research laboratory with mentor | |
| Work 10-15 hours/week in research laboratory with mentor | Work 10-15 hours/week in research laboratory with mentor | Work 10-15 hours/week in research laboratory with mentor | UNIV 421: Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (zero-unit, zero-cost course, for Financial Aid purposes) | Work 10-15 hours/week in research laboratory with mentor | Attend visiting speaker lecture + lunch | ||
| Attend visiting speaker lecture + lunch | Do GRE prep | Take GRE if necessary (seniors) | Apply to graduate schools (seniors) | ||||
| Attend visiting speaker lecture + lunch | Attend visiting speaker lecture + lunch |
Application
U-RISE at Cal Poly is a 2-year program. A new cohort of students begins each Fall Quarter. We accept applications each Spring for students who will begin the program in the Fall. Applications submitted outside of the application window or after the application deadline will unfortunately not be considered.
The application process for U-RISE is paused at this time. We anticipate posting updated information sometime in April 2025. Thank you for your understanding.
FAQs
Program Questions
U-RISE at Cal Poly is a training program funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that provides research opportunities to students and develop their identities as scientists. Students will leave inspired and prepared for success in graduate school in the biomedical field.
- A mentoring team and individual development planning
- Mentored research experiences at Cal Poly and at a research-intensive university
- Formal coursework to support students’ development as scientists
- Events outside the classroom (e.g., research seminars, professional development, team building, peer mentoring)
- Attend a 2-day late summer kick off meeting (usually mid-September)
- Enroll in 2 classes (SCM 240 & 340)
- Work 10-15 hours/week as a research assistant in your mentor’s lab
- Complete a full time 8-10 week summer research experience at a research-intensive university
- Meet regularly with your mentoring team
- Attend workshops
- Attend various visiting speaker seminars and related events
- Attend cohort-building social events
Yes, students in the program will receive tuition assistance (~$7,500/year for two years), an annual stipend (~$14,000/year for completing 10-15 hours/week on research, and a paid 8-10 week summer research experience (U-RISE provides travel, room & board, in addition to a monthly stipend).
Application Questions
Once the application deadline has passed, your application will be reviewed by the U-RISE committee. You will be notified if you are invited to participate in an interview with the selection committee.
If you are selected as a U-RISE awardee, you will be contacted by U-RISE regarding the Fall 2-day Kick-off Workshop. The workshop where the program expectations will be presented to the awardees.
U-RISE is a 2-year program. Students who have at least 2 years left before they graduate are eligible for this program.
Here is the list of eligible mentors. Please select your mentor from this pre-approved list.
If you are already working with an advisor/mentor, they may qualify to be a U-RISE mentor. They would be required to complete the Mentor training program. If they are interested, please have them reach out to one of our Program Directors, Dr. Todd Hagobian or Dr. Sarah Keadle.
Yes, you can apply to other programs on campus. However, if you are selected for U-RISE you cannot participate in the other programs.
Yes, you are eligible! U-RISE is designed to introduce students to research through a guided 2-year research experience.
