For many university students, summer vacation is a misnomer. Rather than an extended period of rest and relaxation, many students work long hours in menial, low-wage jobs in the summer months to help cover the high cost of their education the rest of the year.
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), have come together to offer an alternative to uninspired summer breaks through Project L/EARN, a program that enables disadvantaged undergraduate students from around the country to participate in a paid summer research training program at Rutgers.
The program is accepting applications through Feb. 16. Selections will be announced in early April.
The goal of the program is to enhance diversity in health-related graduate school programs. Founded nearly two decades ago, the program has helped dozens of disadvantaged students prepare for and enroll in graduate school and become successful professionals. This helps lead to a more diverse healthcare workforce which, program officials believe, will improve the health and health care of all Americans.
Ten students who are minorities, first-generation college attendees or who are from low-income families and who have an interest in health research are accepted each year. In addition to free tuition, room and board during the 10-week program, participants also receive three academic credits and a $3,900 stipend so they can “learn while they earn.”
During the program, participants attend daily lectures and computer research training seminars, and are matched with individual faculty mentors to complete a research project. The program also provides participants with networking opportunities, a visit to a professional research conference, career counseling and preparation for graduate school entrance examinations.
For information on how to apply, go to http://www.rwjf.org/humancapital/product.jsp?id=54828.