U-RISE Program

The U-RISE Program is an undergraduate, NIH-funded Honors research training fellowship program.

The UND U-RISE (Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement) program is an undergraduate, NIH-funded Honors Research Training Fellowship Program for UND students who are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in Biomedical or Behavioral Science related fields after earning a B.S. degree.

Eligibility

Do you have at least two years of undergraduate studies remaining until you receive your bachelor’s degree? Are you interested in being part of a research team? Then this program is right for you!

• This 2-year program is for students entering their junior or senior years at UND in Fall 2025. The ideal candidate is now a sophomore with 60 or more semester credits completed and who will graduate in 2027. U-RISE is an Honors program. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and be full-time students.
• An eligible student is from one or more of the following groups underrepresented in the health-related sciences: racial, ethnic, physical or mental ability, or disadvantaged. Disadvantaged groups include students from homeless, foster care, parents with no bachelor’s degree, low income, rural qualifying high school, or U.S. medically underserved area backgrounds [All counties in North Dakota except parts of Cass, Burleigh, or Grand Forks counties are medically underserved areas].
• The eligible student must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States.

Benefits

• 60% of tuition and fees are paid during junior and/or senior years
• Stipend of $1,195/month x 12 months ($14,340/year)
• Funds for Approved Travel to Scientific Meetings
• Research Mentoring Experiences
• Learning Community Activities
• Support for a Summer Research Experience (including housing and per diem for off-campus experiences).
• Advisement for Applying to Graduate School

Application

Application will be posted in Spring 2025.

In addition to submitting contact and eligibility information, the applicant is required to submit the following for consideration for this program.

• Research Scholarship Program Application
• Resume or Curriculum Vita
• UND transcripts or transcripts from other college you attended (High School transcripts or courses taken at other colleges that are verified on the UND transcript do not need to be submitted separately)
• Statement of Educational Goals (limit to 100 words)
• Statement of your Research Interests (limit to 100 words)
• Honors or awards you have received
• Campus Activities you are involved in at UND (limit to 100 words)
• Recommendation letters sent separately from the application
  • E-mailed to brian.helland@UND.edu
  • OR mailed to Brian Helland, 430 Oxford Street, Stop 9025; Grand Forks, ND 58202-9025. 

Follow-up and Notification

• The Scholar Selection Committee will notify applicants regarding the outcome of your application.
• The most qualified applicants will be interviewed in March 2025. Selectees will be notified after the final interviews.
• Successful applicants must complete and sign a Scholarship Agreement. Proof of citizenship or permanent residency within the U.S. is required before official acceptance.

Questions?

If you have any questions during the application process, please contact: