Who's eligible to apply?

You qualify if you meet the following criteria:

• Have completed at least one undergraduate college year by the start date of the program. 
• Have completed at least one course in the basic sciences (some tracks require a lab component) and mathematics or statistics.

• You come from either an underrepresented minority group; have experienced economic hardship; are first in your family to attend college; have experienced other economic, educational, ethnic/cultural, family circumstance hardships; or a student with disability.

  • Economically disadvantaged students are defined as individuals who come from a low-income family, using low income levels specified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a guideline. Socially disadvantaged students come from an environment that may inhibit them from obtaining knowledge, skills or abilities required to enroll and successfully complete an undergraduate or graduate course of study that could lead to a career in the health sciences. This category includes, but is not restricted to, students whose parents did not attend or complete college.
  • The term "disability" is defined by the federal government in various ways, depending on the context. For the purposes of federal disability nondiscrimination laws (such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Section 188 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), the definition of a person with a disability is typically defined as someone who (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more "major life activities," (2) has a record of such an impairment, or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment. More information on federal disability non-discrimination laws, visit DOL's Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor.
• You are a U.S. citizen, permanent U.S. resident, or an eligible DACA student (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). A DACA applicant must have an employment authorization card via USCIS.

Are international students eligible for this program?

Unfortunately, no - we are not able to accept international students at this time.

I recently graduated with my bachelor's degree. Am I eligible to apply?

The program is open to current college students seeking their first bachelor’s degree.  If you anticipate receiving your bachelor’s degree in the Spring 2025, you are eligible to apply.

How many positions are available?

Our cohort will be approximately 25-30 interns.

When will I find out if I was accepted?

We expect to notify all applicants in early March 2025.

Is it possible for me to take other courses during the summer program?

Equity Research interns are expected to participate full-time, from approximately 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday. In addition, interns are asked to prepare a poster presentation of their research project and may be asked to attend other seminars. Therefore, it is not advisable that interns pursue other coursework during the program.

How are mentors chosen?

We strive to match scholars and mentors based on research interests, however not all OHSU researchers are available to serve as mentors during any given summer. The more explicit you are about your research interests, the better we can match you with a mentor.

Where will I be doing my research?

Depending on your assignment, you could be onsite or remote. If on site, you will be in your mentor's laboratory or office at one of OHSU's campuses on Marquam Hill in Portland, South Waterfront in Portland or West Campus in Beaverton.

I don't live in Portland. Is housing available?

Support may be available for housing assistance. Please indicate on the application if you need housing.

COVID-19 Vaccine Policy

Before starting at OHSU program, students need to meet all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) immunization guidelines for health care workers. These are meant to provide a safe environment for students, employees and patients at OHSU and participating clinical and research training sites.

OHSU strongly recommends that all OHSU members, regardless of their work location or job function, remain “up-to-date” with COVID-19 vaccines, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All students must be “fully vaccinated” or “up-to-date” with COVID-19 vaccinations OR they must submit a declination form via Enterprise Health and adhere to Student Health’s current requirements designed to minimize COVID-19 transmission. If a student chooses to decline the vaccination, they will need to wear a surgical or procedure mask whenever working with patients. New students wishing to submit a declination should do so when they receive their network login credentials (usually about 30 days before the start of your program).

How do I send in my letters of recommendation?