Since 1993, the University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC) has offered a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Minority Health & Health Disparities International Research Training (MHIRT) program with a long-term goal of increasing the number of PhD-trained research scientists from ethnic minority and underrepresented backgrounds. The UCSC-MHIRT program achieves this goal by actively engaging bright, enthusiastic underrepresented students in on-going, international research projects conducted in collaboration with students and faculty from the host country. With a long tradition of both graduate and undergraduate research training, UCSC offers challenging and unique opportunities that combine productive and creative scientific research with rich and stimulating cultural experiences. The program has provided UCSC-MHIRT students with broader international scientific and educational perspectives, increased self-confidence and independence, plus substantial improvements in technical expertise. This has resulted in a satisfying increase in the number of underrepresented minority students choosing advanced scientific training and leading the next generation of research scientists and academic faculty.
The UCSC-MHIRT program encourages research immersion experiences of at least three months, and fellows often stay in the host lab for five months or more. Timing is dependent on student, mentor, project and funding availability. Note that other countries operate on different academic and seasonal cycles, so appointments may begin at any time of year. If an applicant will be interrupting undergraduate coursework for their fellowship period, they are responsible for working with their home institution to arrange course credit, ensure graduation timing, etc.
The program covers all travel expenses, room and board, a modest stipend, and research costs associated with the student’s project.
For more information on the labs that currently collaborate with the UCSC-MHIRT program, view the countries listed in the left-hand menu/above.
Please check your eligibility before applying.
For application information, see the APPLY page.