A major opportunity has opened for academic institutions seeking to expand access, equity, and representation in neuroscience. The Fund for Undergraduate Research Internship Programs has officially launched its next application round for 2025–2026, inviting program coordinators across the U.S. and Canada to apply for grants of up to USD 25,000.
These grants support established internship programs that serve underrepresented minority undergraduate students, especially those enrolled in community colleges and primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs). With applications now open, institutions with a commitment to diversity in neuroscience have a powerful chance to scale their impact.
About the Program
The Fund for Undergraduate Research Internship Programs was established to address longstanding inequities in neuroscience by providing high-quality research exposure to students who have historically lacked access to university laboratory environments. The target population includes underrepresented minority students in biomedical sciences—particularly those from racial, ethnic, Indigenous, disability, or LGBTQ2+ backgrounds.
Rather than funding individual internships, the program supports institution-run internship initiatives that provide hands-on research experience, guided mentorship, and structured academic development. Programs must demonstrate a track record of empowering underrepresented students and a comprehensive plan for delivering research-based learning experiences that spark academic and career advancement.
The grants are intended to strengthen existing research internship pathways, promote scientific engagement, and broaden entry into neuroscience graduate programs and related STEM fields.
What the Grant Offers?
Successful applicants may receive up to USD 25,000 to cover core costs of their internship program. Funding may be used to provide:
- Student stipends for living expenses during the internship
- Travel and accommodation assistance
- Laboratory supplies and consumables required for active research projects
- Research and professional development activities
The funding is designed to ensure that students gain meaningful exposure to real neuroscience research—working within faculty laboratories, contributing to hypothesis-driven projects, participating in scientific discussions, and presenting their findings through oral or poster presentations.
Professional development workshops are a required program component. These may include:
- Introduction to biomedical and neuroscience research
- Training in ethical scientific practice and lab techniques
- Guidance on graduate school applications
- Networking strategies for conferences and academic spaces
- Career exploration across academia, industry, public engagement, and STEM pathways
Programs may also integrate community-facing outreach activities such as public neuroscience events, school visits, or diversity-in-science initiatives.
Eligibility Requirements
This funding call is open exclusively to U.S. and Canadian institutions that operate established neuroscience internship programs. Eligible applicants include universities, research centers, and institutions offering structured summer research opportunities for underrepresented undergraduate students.
To qualify, programs must:
- Serve students enrolled in U.S./Canadian community colleges or 4-year undergraduate institutions (PUIs)
- Demonstrate a commitment to supporting students from underrepresented groups in neuroscience
- Offer supervised, hands-on neuroscience research projects
- Provide structured mentorship with faculty, postdoctoral researchers, or graduate students
- Integrate professional development components into the program
This opportunity is not open to individual students seeking internships—only to organizations or program coordinators running established internship programs.
Grant Specifications
Internship programs must run for a minimum of 8 weeks. The grant provides:
- Up to USD 25,000
- 80% disbursed two months before program start
- 20% released after approval of the final report
Funding cannot be used for institutional overhead, administrative staff salaries, or social/catering expenses. Program coordinators are required to submit a comprehensive end-of-grant report within three months of program completion.
How to Apply?
Program coordinators must submit a complete application via the IBRO Grants Portal during the open window.
The application must include:
- Overview and history of the internship program
- Structure of research experience and lab placement
- Mentor profiles and program leadership
- Recruitment strategies targeting underrepresented students
- Workshop and development plans
- Evaluation metrics for impact assessment
- Detailed budget with justification
- Attachments including program outline and mentor CVs
Applicants can create an account, access FAQs, and submit support requests directly through the portal.
Application Timeline
The Fund for Undergraduate Research Internship Programs is now accepting proposals for the next round of funding.
Application Period: 1 November 2025 – 10 January 2026
Programs selected for funding will receive notice following IBRO’s evaluation period, with payments scheduled according to the 80:20 structure. Institutions are encouraged to apply early and monitor IBRO’s newsletters for future funding calls.