Developing Scholars Program

Program Goals

Create a pipeline for talented, highly motivated students to apply to the CU Anschutz Cell Biology, Stem Cells and Development (CSD) PhD program.  

Create mentoring structures to support the participation of underrepresented and underserved students in biomedical research.

Provide mentor training and community service opportunities for CSD students. 

Program Length and Details

Time Commitment | 9-week paid research internship for undergrad scholars in which they will attain biomedical research experience under the mentorship of CSD students. May 28 – July 26. Scholars will work 20 hours per week. 

Research Experience | Each scholar will gain research training in fundamental techniques in cell and molecular biology through the Bootcamp Program and work on a research project related to ongoing studies in the host lab. 

Professional Development | In addition, scholars will attend weekly, virtual seminars designed to excite them about biomedical research, inform them about career opportunities, and encourage and empower them to apply to biomedical PhD programs. Seminar topics will include research talks from CSD students, presentations on developmental diseases from CU Anschutz clinicians, workshop sessions on how to read scientific papers and how to give a talk, and panel discussions on careers in biomedical research and applying to graduate school.

Research Symposium | At the end of the 9-week program, scholars will give oral presentations on their research projects at a research symposium.  

Who is Eligible?

Scholars will be recruited from regional undergraduate institutions across Colorado and we will also accept applications from outside of Colorado. Scholars are selected through a competitive application process. 

We will seek to recruit scholars who are traditionally excluded or underserved in academic research based on race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.  

Financial support

Funds to support scholar salaries and program activities are provided by CU Denver, NSF, the CU Anschutz Department of Pediatrics, and the CU Anschutz Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine. Host labs are expected to cover costs of reagents and lab supplies during the internship. 

Research Mentors

How you can serve as a mentor: We seek CSD student-faculty teams who will serve as mentors and hosts for scholars during a 9-week internship in summer of 2024.

Benefits to CSD Students | Participating CSD students will gain practical experience in mentoring at the bench. To complement this experience, we will offer a new, 1-credit course entitled “Practical Mentoring Experience in Cell Biology, Stem Cells and Development” during the Summer 2024 term. This course will provide formal training in mentoring and is designed to run in parallel with the internship program. Topics will include project design, setting expectations, communication, mentoring through an equity lens, and more. All participating CSD students who serve as mentors in the Developing Scholars Program are required to enroll in this course. 

Participating CSD student mentors must be post-comps. 

How to Apply

Apply here for the 2024 Developing Scholars Program: https://ucdenver.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1Xn8PdNssrD6zJ4
Application Deadline: March 8, 2024 @ 5pm MT

Questions? Contact us!

Jeff Moore, PhD | jeffrey.moore@cuanschutz.edu 
Associate Professor, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
Director, Graduate Program in Cell Biology, Stem Cells and Development
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus