Application FAQ

Eligibility

• I did a research internship at U Oregon/I graduated from U Oregon. Can I apply to UO PREP Bio?

  • Yes, we are happy to receive applications from students who have prior connections to the UO. However, to increase their breadth in biomedical research, students with prior UO research experience who are admitted to PREP Bio will be placed in labs other than ones in which they did undergraduate research.

• I’m not a U Oregon student. Can I apply to UO PREP Bio?

  • Of course!  We welcome applicants from outside the university, provided you meet the eligibility criteria specified by the NIH.

• What are the criteria for eligibility?

  • Eligibility is based on academic qualifications, the intention to pursue a PhD, and meeting U.S. citizenship or permanent resident requirements outlined by the NIH.

• I’m a DACA recipient. Am I eligible for your PREP?

  • NIH funding requires that PREP scholars be US citizens or permanent residents. While we endeavor to find funding for all qualified scholars, we do not have funding that allows us to support a DACA recipient. Our understanding is that the following PREP sites do have funding for DACA scholars:
  • Colorado University Anschutz, PIKE-PREP
  • Northwestern, NU PREP
  • Stanford University, REACH Postbaccalaureate Program
  • University of Rochester Medical College, URMC-PREP
  • Postbac funded by the American Cancer Society
  • Industrial postbac funded by Novartis

What’s next?

• Do I email my application to you?

  • No, you need to submit it through the application submission platform above.

• Who are the program faculty?

  • Here is a list of potential faculty mentors for UO PREP Bio.

• It’s past the deadline and I just learned about your cool program! Can I still apply?

  • Applications will continue to be accepted, but those received after 15 March will only be considered if positions have not yet been filled.

• What can I do if I’m not admitted to UO PREP Bio?

  • Apply to other postbacc programs.
  • Apply to a master’s program. Master’s programs come in two main flavors: coursework + thesis, and coursework only. Either way, you gain experience and knowledge. If you apply to universities that offer only the MS, you will be first in line for TA and RAships, whereas at many universities that offer both graduate degrees, doctoral students have higher priority for financial support. Dr. Stacy Farina from Howard University has created a list of funded MS programs.
  • Volunteer in the lab of a faculty member — perhaps a former research mentor? If you can swing the finances, this can work: we know of a student who volunteered part-time in a faculty lab for three months, got a paid position in that lab after that, and was admitted to a PhD program later that year.
  • Search for other options at www.pathwaystoscience.org.

• I have a question not addressed here.

  • Please email us. We’re happy to help you with specifics.