Summer Research Program

 

NTC’s Summer Research Program (SRP) provides opportunities for hands-on research experience within a supportive, multidisciplinary cohort. Students may work with faculty and Ph.D. candidates on ongoing projects or propose independent research to be conducted under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors across all five NTC schools are eligible to apply; no prior experience is necessary. Participants must be in-person for the entire eight-week session. 

Program Details

 
  • Individual mentorship and hands-on research experience
  • Weekly didactic sessions focused on all aspects of the research process and the progress, challenges, and successes of individual projects
  • Cohort experience aimed at sharing ideas, building community, and developing mutual support
  • Stipend commensurate with eight weeks’ room and board for on- or off-campus expenses (stipend based on summer session campus housing and meal plan rates)
  • Pre-program administrative support for drafting student-faculty “contract” (e.g., clarifying roles and responsibilities, drafting a feasible timeline and benchmarks, envisioning an appropriate outcome, etc.)
  • Instruction and support for the production of a research poster
  • Participation in NTC’s Research and Ideas Symposium
  • $1,000 stipend for research mentor  
  • Rising sophomore, junior or senior in good academic standing and conduct

  • Enrolled full-time at Tulane at the time of application and intending to enroll full-time in the following semester 

     

  • A formal acceptance of participation
  • Enrollment in INTU 3050 (one credit, no tuition course, satisfactory/unsatisfactory)  
  • Participation in a minimum of eight weeks of research as arranged with PI or faculty mentor (up to 40 hours/week)
  • Attendance at all weekly in-person didactic sessions (one four-hour session/week)
  • Participation in a poster development training session
  • Submission of a one-page poster proposal
  • Participation in NTC’s Research and Ideas Symposium in the fall

  • Submission of a formal research contract by June 1  

     

  • Monday, November 30: Application opens

  • Monday, February 9: Deadline for submissions 

     

 

Summer Research Program Tracks

 

Students may apply for one of three SRP tracks. Track One: Research Assistant and Track Two: Independent Research require students to secure a mentor and project description before applying. Track Three: TUSM Placement allows pre-med students who apply to be placed in projects at the Tulane University School of Medicine. NTC seeks a multidisciplinary cohort from varied disciplines and with diverse interests, so all students are encouraged to apply. Our staff are available to help students find existing projects and identify appropriate faculty. See our Research Roadmap for more advice on getting started with your research plans.  

Tulane is an equal opportunity educator and employer; legally protected demographic criteria such as race, national origin, age, disability, etc. are not relied upon as eligibility or participation criteria for this program. 

Application Requirements by Track

 

Track One: Research Assistant 

 

Research assistants participate in SRP while collaborating on a faculty member’s ongoing research. Research assistants often work in labs, but outside of lab sciences they can support faculty with analyzing literature, conducting surveys, cataloguing resources, indexing sources, interpreting artifacts, creating art and more. Research Assistant applicants will submit a joint application produced in collaboration with the proposed mentor that describes the project, outlines the student’s responsibilities for the eight-week session and explains the specific support the supervisor will offer. Participating faculty may be housed in any of NTC's five schools or in the School of Medicine.

 

In addition to the application form, candidates will submit: 

  • A 500-word statement of purpose in consultation with the faculty supervisor or PI:  
    • Summarize the broader research project (theme, research question or hypothesis and methods and significance)
    • Outline what your specific role and duties will be
    • Explain how this experience fits into your longer-term educational trajectory and career goals
    • Describe the nature of your relation to the faculty supervisor (coursework, extracurricular activities, research, etc.)
  • Resume (one-page)
  • Unofficial transcript
  • Letter of recommendation  
    • Describes the candidate’s preparation for the project
    • Provides examples of relevant intellectual and personal qualities and hard and soft skills 

 

 

 

Track Two: Independent Research

 

Independent researchers design a summer project in consultation with a chosen faculty mentor. Applicants submit a joint application with the supervising faculty that outlines a project that can feasibly be completed in eight weeks, provides a basic timeline with sequential milestones marking progress toward completion and describes the specific support the supervisor will offer. Given the short duration of the SRP, applicants are encouraged to explore an issue with which they are already familiar (ideally from coursework and discussion, class-based research assignments or public service) and identify the specific data they intend to consult. Independent research may comprise scholarly or creative inquiry. Innovative projects are encouraged as long as they include a logical methodology and seek to create new knowledge. Participating faculty can be housed in any of the five schools on the uptown campus.    

 

In addition to the application form, candidates will submit:  

  • A 1000-word research proposal in consultation with the faculty supervisor or PI:  
    • Provide background on the issue to frame your specific interest
    • State what you want to learn about the issue (a research question)
    • Describe your anticipated deliverables (e.g., a 20-page paper, a report on your data collection and an analysis for a larger independent study, an online exhibition, a podcast, etc.)
    • Explain how you'll answer the question
      • What data will you consult?
      • What do you hope to find in this data?  
    • Explain the significance of your project to your field and future academic or professional development
    • Discuss any challenges you anticipate
    • Include a timeline of:
      • Basic steps toward your final deliverable
    • For students conducting research with human subjects, you and your advisor will need to complete a Human Subjects Research Determination Form to determine if your proposed research activities meet the federal definition of “human subjects research.” If they do, you will need to complete the CITI training, and your advisor will submit your proposal for review by Tulane’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). This can be confusing and time-consuming, so it should be completed before the start of SRP in June. Approval for human subject research is required before formal contact is made with prospective research participants, whether contact is for recruitment or data collection.  
  • Resume (one-page)
  • Unofficial transcript
  • Letter of recommendation  
    • Describes the candidate’s preparation for the project
    • Provides examples of relevant intellectual and personal qualities and hard and soft skills 

 

 

 

Track Three: Tulane School of Medicine Placement

 

The Tulane School of Medicine (TUSM) placement track is for pre-med undergraduates seeking an introduction to the culture of research in a medical school setting. The NTC-TUSM program is run by TUSM faculty with the support of SRP staff. NTC students are paired with a researcher or research team, including faculty and/or medical students, and participate in activities that include the introduction of research techniques and laboratory etiquette. Assignments for SRP participants vary in time commitment, types of activities and the level of involvement but generally demand 20-40 hours of observation and explanation, simulation of lab practices and discussion. Weekly didactic sessions are held downtown and led by medical school faculty. 

 

In addition to the application form, candidates will submit:  

  • A 500-word personal statement
    • Explain where your interest in this award came from and how this experience fits into your long-term educational trajectory and career goals
    • Discuss your preparation for this experience and why you will thrive in the medical school setting
    • Describe the unique perspective, background and experiences you bring to this opportunity
  • Letter of recommendation  
    • Describes the candidate’s preparation for this opportunity
    • Comment on relevant intellectual and personal qualities and hard and soft skills
  • Resume (one-page)
  • Unofficial transcript