Undergraduate Scholars Program

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This program allows a small number of enthusiastic students to join an intense and exciting research environment.

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Undergraduate Scholars Program

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This program allows a small number of enthusiastic students to join an intense and exciting research environment.

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The Janelia Undergraduate Scholars program is a 10-week summer program aimed at well-prepared, independent, and committed students with significant research experience. We accept undergraduates and masters students from around the world who have not committed to a PhD program. Participants must be actively enrolled as a student during the period of the Janelia Undergraduate Scholars program.

Janelia undergraduate scholars are dedicated future scientists, engineers, and mathematicians who are interested in exploring:

Behavioral & Systems Neuroscience
Biosensor Development
Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience
Evolution & Genetics
Instrumentation & Computational Tool Development
Neuronal Cell Biology
Optical Physics & Imaging
Structural Biology & Biochemistry
Theory & Computational Neuroscience

This program provides an outstanding research experience, an opportunity to network with colleagues at all career levels, and a chance to form lifelong scientific collaborations and friendships. Stay on our beautiful campus and explore Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and the surrounding area.

There will not be a 2023 Janelia Undergraduate Scholars Program.

If you have any questions about the program, the application or the application process, please email Erik Snapp at snappe@janelia.hhmi.org

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Application Details

There will not be a Summer 2023 program.

A Conversation with our 2018 Janelia Undergraduate Scholars

2018 Janelia Undergraduate Scholars Jeong Jun Kim, Jessica Passlack, and Kristopher Torp Jensen share their experience at Janelia and offer advice to students interested in applying to the undergraduate program.

Program Administration

Erik Snapp

Director of Student and Postdoctoral Programs

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Laurel Royer

Science Program Coordinator

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Olivia Moorehead

Scientific Program Coordinator

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The Janelia Undergraduate Experience

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Since its inception in 2007, 100 students have participated in the summer program and 10 of them have gone on to join the Janelia Graduate Program.

Students have the opportunity to network with colleagues at all career levels, and a chance to form lifelong friendships and scientific collaborations.

Students present their research at lab meetings and at a closing symposium open to the Janelia community.

When not in the laboratory, summer scholars, who live on campus, enjoy a variety of social activities, including barbeques, a 4th of July outing to a Washington DC fireworks display, and other local events.

Students plan their own social adventures, which in the past have included camping in nearby mountains, a night at the Washington Nationals ballgame, and a tubing trip down the Potomac River.

Hiking at Great Falls National Park

The annual BBQ for the undergraduate scholars is a great opportunity to socialize with graduate students, lab heads, & program administration.

Janelia hosts a variety of on-campus events for the scholars every year, including an annual BBQ in the pub, a dinner at the Director's residence, and a closing poster session.

Bob’s Pub provides a relaxed atmosphere for the Janelia Undergraduate Scholars to discuss their summer research projects.

Janelia Undergraduate Scholars played paintball at Hogback Mountain.

The 2017 Janelia Undergraduate Scholars came from all over the world including Argentina, Italy, and Taiwan.