Overview

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) HBCU/MI Summer Research Program aims to increase the number of minority scientists and engineers in DOD programs and positions. The initiative encourages students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, guides them toward advanced studies, and prepares them for careers in science and engineering fields. Motivated students, both undergraduate and graduate, are placed in a ten-week research experience at DOD facilities across the country. Under the supervision of DOD scientists and engineers, students conduct research relevant to the defense mission.

The 2020 program was fully funded by the DOD and was of no cost to students, labs, or mentors. Funding amounts included round trip travel to the internship location at the beginning and end of summer, a relocation stipend, daily travel to and from the worksite, regular pay for hours worked, and living expenses.

Summer 2020 USAMRDC Participant Breakdown

Due to COVID-19, USAMRDC research was conducted virtually. Five labs participated in hosting students including:

• U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL)
• U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR
• U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD)
• U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM)
• Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR)

There were a total of nine students placed across USAMRDC labs.

To read more about this program from the 2020 Summer Researchers themselves, visit the link below for student interviews. Not included in the interviews are Carmen Michelle Flowers (USAARL), Destiny Ball (USAISR), and Kevin Thompson (USARIEM) who participated in the program but were not able to be interviewed.

https://stem.health.mil/index.cfm/media/news/2020/summer_2020_HBCU_MI_research_program

Timeline

Applications for summer only internships typically open in the fall for the following summer. Eligibility and selection are determined by a number of factors, including GPA, field of study, skills and/or certifications, prior experiences, and additional site-specific criteria. Summer internships typically began on June 1, 2020.

Interested in serving as a mentor for this program?

Eligible mentors for this program include U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command military, civilians, and contractors conducting research in a STEM field with the capability to involve undergraduate or graduate level students in the hands-on experience of working in a DOD lab.

Email USArmy.Detrick.MEDCOM-USAMRMC.Other.Educational-Outreach@health.mil indicating your interest in serving as a mentor for the HBCU/MI Summer Research Program and you will be connected to the program administrators.

Are you a student interested in participating in this program?

Eligible students are those attending HBCUs or MIs as an undergraduate or a graduate student.

For more information about this program or to indicate interest in participating in this program for the upcoming summer, email USArmy.Detrick.MEDCOM-USAMRMC.Other.Educational-Outreach@health.mil

Additional research internships and apprenticeships offered within USAMRDC can be found at https://stem.health.mil/index.cfm/opportunities/student