2025 ASPIRE Undergraduate Program – Summer Cardiovascular Research & STEMM, Medical/Grad School Career Prep Funded by NIH

The Advancing Student Potential for Inclusion with Research Experiences (ASPIRE) Program in the Cardiovascular Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin has up to 13 paid summer research fellowships available during the summer (late May to early August) for undergraduates from underrepresented groups in science and medicine including individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, underrepresented cultural and ethnic groups, and/or individuals with disabilities. For questions about accommodations related to a disability, please contact pathwayaccommodations@mcw.edu. In addition, the undergraduate must be at least 18 years old by time of the program, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, must have one year or more of college credit, and must be a full-time undergraduate (a rising sophomore, junior, or senior) at any United States (or United States territory) college of university in the Fall of 2025.

This program is funded by the National Institutes of Health’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. We are seeking undergraduate students who are interested in STEMM (science, technology, biomedical engineering, and medicine) or biomedical careers for 10 weeks of hands-on experience in cardiovascular research within our laboratories, professional skill building, and seminars focused on STEMM and healthcare career preparation, how to apply to medical school and other allied health programs, and how to navigate graduate and medical school. 

In addition to the $6,000 compensation (paid in increments over the summer, $15.62/hour), we provide free fully-furnished housing accommodations to any participant from outside of the metro Milwaukee area (unless a local participant has a special need for housing). The housing location is across the street from the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center where MCW is located, and is a relatively new structure that features full kitchens with stainless steel appliances, central air, cable/internet and on-site laundry facilities. A free one-time roundtrip airfare to/from the Milwaukee airport or ground transportation is provided by AHA funds to allow students who are located more than four hours from Milwaukee (and originating from a location in the U.S. or its territories) to relocate for the summer to attend the program. A $1,400 stipend is available for ASPIRE participants to attend an optional scientific conference during the following school year (from August to the next April).

Undergraduate participants selected for ASPIRE are paired with one of our faculty researchers to contribute to a preexisting project being researched by that faculty member. Prior research experience is not required. Some students will have more "wet lab" experience, working with animals and human blood/tissue, while others will be more focused on data gathering/analyzing. ASPIRE also provides seminars for general professional skill building, “career chats” focusing on specific graduate school, medical school, and other allied health careers, seminars on how to apply for graduate and medical school, seminars on overcoming challenges and barriers for individuals from underrepresented groups, and networking opportunities through social events throughout the summer. The summer experience culminates with each ASPIRE participant presenting an oral presentation about their cardiovascular research project during an MCW-wide Research Symposium on MCW’s campus. After this, ASPIRE participants have until April of the next year to use their $1,400 stipend to attend an optional scientific conference.

Please visit Summer Programs 2025 Application (mcw.edu) to complete our online application. In addition to the application, you will also need to have two (2) recommenders to complete an online questionnaire (links to questionnaire are supplied in the application portal). At least one (1) of the recommenders must be someone that you have previous academic experience with (i.e. professor, mentor, tutor, advisor). If the recommender chooses to also submit a formal letter as part of the online questionnaire, the letter should be written on company/institutional/organizational letterhead.

Both online questionnaires must be submitted by the recommenders on or before the application deadline to ensure that you receive full consideration for selection into the program(s) you apply to. It is the applicant's responsibility to send the link to the online questionnaire to their recommenders, and to ensure that their recommenders submit the questionnaire on or before the deadline date.

Be advised that it does not matter what order we receive your application and associated materials, as long as we receive everything prior to the February 1, 2025 deadline. This means that your recommenders can submit the online questionnaire prior to you submitting this online application. 

Applicants must submit a transcript from the college/university they currently attend (or most recently attended). We will accept unofficial documents (e.g. records that you submit directly to us vs. those sent to us directly from the institution) as part of the application process but will require official documents if/when you accept a participation offer. Be advised that any discrepancies between an unofficial and official document may result in an offer being rescinded.

Regardless of whether the document is official or unofficial, it can be sent electronically via email to summerprograms@mcw.edu or mailed to:

MCW Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity

Attn: MCW Summer Programs

8701 Watertown Plank Road

Milwaukee, WI 53226

ASPIRE hosts roughly 13 participants each summer from across the country who gain valuable cardiovascular research experience, refine critical thinking skills, build upon academic and professional networks and learn about careers in science and medicine. Participation in ASPIRE is intended for students who are currently enrolled at an accredited college or university and who have one year of college credit and intend to pursue health-related or STEMM-related graduate or professional level studies.

Note: The stipend amount equates to roughly $15.62/hour, as participants work 48 8-hour days as part of the program.