Vagelos Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program: An In-Depth Overview

The Vagelos Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program presents a distinctive opportunity for undergraduate students interested in biology and biomedical sciences. This program, supported by a generous gift intended to bolster both the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences (DBBS) graduate programs and undergraduate research at Washington University in St. Louis, offers a comprehensive research experience.

Program Overview

The Vagelos Fellowship is designed to immerse students in the world of biological and biomedical research. The program achieves this through a combination of seminars, hands-on research, and professional development opportunities.

Key Features

Spring Course: Fellows participate in a spring course that equips them with essential research skills and knowledge. This course also features seminars led by diverse biology and biomedical researchers, followed by informal receptions where students can interact with guest speakers and other attendees. The inaugural guest speaker was Roy Vagelos, the program's benefactor, interviewed by Dean Perlmutter in a seminar setting.
Summer Research: Following the spring course, Fellows engage in a 10-week summer research experience under the guidance of a faculty mentor from the WashU School of Medicine and DBBS. Alternatively, a graduate student or postdoc may be assigned to serve as a mentor. The research must be in biology, but the student doesn't need to be a biology major.
Stipend and Housing: Participants receive a $5,000 stipend for the summer, distributed in two installments. The fellowship also covers housing on Danforth Campus, providing each Fellow with a private room in a suite shared with other summer research students.

Read also: Vagelos Scholarship Requirements
Professional Development: Throughout the summer and after the research experience, students have access to additional professional development opportunities, further enhancing their skills and career prospects.
Networking and Mentorship: The program emphasizes cohort building, fostering networking among students. Alumni of the program are invited to serve as paid peer mentors to subsequent cohorts, creating a supportive community.

Eligibility and Application

The Vagelos Fellowship is open to current Washington University freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and non-graduating seniors who have a strong interest in pursuing a career in biology and/or biomedical sciences research. International students enrolled as WashU undergraduates are eligible to apply.

Application Components

Unlike some other research programs, the Vagelos Fellowship application does not require a project plan or research proposal. Instead, faculty reviewers assess applicants based on their general interest in pursuing biology research. The application includes essay prompts that allow students to describe their interests, prior experience, and how the program aligns with their future career goals.

Comparison with Other Programs

Vagelos vs. BioSURF

A key difference between the Vagelos Fellowship and the BioSURF program lies in the application process. The Vagelos application focuses on a personal essay, while BioSURF requires a research proposal with a known lab and PI. Additionally, the Vagelos stipend is $5,000 for the summer, compared to $4,000 for BioSURF.

Read also: Undergraduate Programs at UNC

Vagelos vs. Amgen Scholars Program

The Amgen Scholars Program at Washington University in St. Louis is another 10-week summer research program for undergraduates. However, unlike the Vagelos Fellowship, the Amgen Scholars Program is open to students from other institutions, not just Washington University. The Amgen Scholars Program also includes scientific seminars, workshops, GRE/MCAT preparation materials, and coursework covering the science and business of biotechnology. Participants in the Amgen Scholars Program receive a stipend, on-campus housing, public transportation passes, and travel to/from St. Louis.

Vagelos vs. Student Research at VP&S

Student Research at VP&S offers research opportunities to rising second-year medical students. These opportunities, including the VP&S Summer Research Program and the Global Pop Summer program, provide funding to cover living, travel, and research expenses. Like the Vagelos Fellowship, these programs match students with mentors to guide their research.

Vagelos vs. Vagelos Undergraduate Research Grant (University of Pennsylvania)

It is important to note that the Vagelos name is also associated with an undergraduate research grant at the University of Pennsylvania. This grant, formerly known as the Nassau Fund Award, supports undergraduate research efforts in any field, providing funds for materials, supplies, or travel costs. The maximum award is $1,000, and it is open to all full-time undergraduates at Penn. This grant differs significantly from the Vagelos Undergraduate Research Fellowship at Washington University, which is specifically focused on biology and biomedical sciences and includes a more comprehensive program structure.

The Research Experience

The Vagelos Undergraduate Research Fellowship offers a hands-on, graduate-level laboratory research experience. Fellows work under the supervision of School of Medicine faculty, gaining valuable skills and knowledge in their chosen research area.

Faculty Mentorship

A key component of the program is the mentorship provided by faculty members. These mentors guide students through the research process, helping them to develop their skills and knowledge. In some cases, a graduate student or postdoc may be assigned to serve as a mentor.

Research Topics

While the research must be in biology, the program is open to students from all majors. This allows students to explore their interests in a wide range of biological and biomedical fields.

Outcomes and Benefits

The Vagelos Undergraduate Research Fellowship provides numerous benefits to its participants.

Skill Development

Fellows develop essential research skills, including experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. They also gain experience working in a laboratory setting, which is valuable for future careers in research.

Career Preparation

The program prepares students for applying to top-tier graduate and professional schools. It also fosters an understanding of the excitement and trajectory of a career in research.

Networking and Community

The program fosters a strong sense of community among its participants. Fellows have the opportunity to network with faculty, graduate students, and other undergraduates, building valuable connections for their future careers.

Washington University's Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Washington University is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status, disability, or genetic information. This commitment ensures that the Vagelos Undergraduate Research Fellowship is open to a diverse range of students.

Application Procedure for the Vagelos Grant at UPenn.

Proposal Preparation

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to speak with potential faculty mentors as early as possible, and applicants are invited to discuss their ideas with Dr. Kerry Milch, Associate Director for Undergraduate Research at CURF, or Dr. Ann Vernon-Grey, Director of Undergraduate Research at CURF. The project shall represent original research or scholarship allowing the student to make a significant contribution to knowledge. The project shall be largely conceived and executed by the student and not simply represent faculty research in which the student assists. While students must investigate their projects before applying for funding, grants will be awarded only for projects to be carried out after the proposal has been approved. Decisions will be made in December and April of each academic year for projects that are to be conducted during the following semester or the following summer. Funding may not be used for expenses that have been incurred prior to the award decision.

Application Components for UPenn.

Short abstract (~100 words): Explain the overall goals of the project
Proposal (~750 words): Background: Evaluate existing knowledge and work in the area and briefly summarize/justify the proposed projectâs potential contribution to the field. Objectives: State the objectives and relevance of the proposed work in terms intelligible to an educated non-specialist. Methodology: Describe the design and procedures to be employed and provide a timetable and implementation plan for completion of the project. Predicted Outcomes/Future Plans/Statement of Impact or Importance: Discuss some potential results to be generated from the submitted project, proposed next steps for the research, and a statement of lessons to be learned from the undertaking
Bibliography (no more than one page â limit of 12 items) of key scholarly works (listed in the citation format used in your discipline) providing background for your project. These may be books or articles, and they may be a mix of theoretical and empirical works that inform the project. If desired, a one-sentence annotation may be used to explain a specific itemâs relevance to the project, but annotations are not required
Personal Statement (~250 words): Describe how this project fits with your academic, personal, and/or career plans for the future, and with your current academic, personal, and career interests and activities
Budget (Itemized and Total Overall): On a separate page list each budget item in order of priority and justify it in terms of the work proposed. Include the total amount needed to complete the project, even if this is more than the grant limit of $1000. Depending on availability of funds, the amount awarded may be less than the total amount requested.
Letter of Recommendation: As early as possible, request a letter from your faculty research advisor via the Common Research Grant Application. **If a student is working primarily with a post-doctoral researcher as their mentor, then it is OK for the post-doc to write the letter.

Funding Guidelines for UPenn.

Funding provided should be used to help defray the studentâs research costs and should not be a substitute for financial aid nor for the adviserâs research funding. Funds are NOT to be used as programming or course costs. Funds cannot be used to pay a student stipend. Conference travel, registration, poster printing etc. are NOT acceptable expenses. Funds may not be used to reimburse expenses that have been incurred prior to the awarding of the grant (December for the fall cycle). Types of expenses to which the funds may be applied include travel to libraries, museums, archives, and research sites; living expenses that would enable the student to participate in the project (outside of academic term time), research equipment, and supplies.

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