FAQs
GENERAL INFORMATION
What is STEP-UP?
STEP-UP stands for Short-Term Research Experience Program to Unlock Potential
What is the goal of STEP-UP?
The overall goal of NIDDK's Short-Term Research Experience Program to Unlock Potential (STEP-UP) Program is to build and sustain a biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social science research pipeline focused on NIDDK mission areas. The STEP-UP program is particularly interested in increasing the participation of students from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research on a national basis. This includes individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, and individuals with disabilities.
How does STEP-UP work?Selected students are paired with a mentor and carry out a summer research project in their area of interest. Before the summer begins, students are required to complete any necessary training. Throughout the summer internship, students will be expected to submit an abstract, PowerPoint presentation, and a poster (for high school senior participants only) on their research project. At the end of the summer, select students will have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. to attend the National STEP-UP Summer Research Symposium where they will present on their project to fellow STEP-UP participants as well as a professional panel of judges.
Where will I conduct my research and complete my internship?
Internships are conducted at an affiliated institution near your location.
What are the official start and end dates of the program?
The start dates are flexible for each student. You will start your internship during the summer at the end of your high school’s calendar year. Students usually begin their research experience during the first week of June. All students are expected to have a minimum of eight (8) consecutive weeks of research experience.
Are vacations permitted?
Vacations are not permitted during your research experience. All vacations must be taken before or after the program.
Am I allowed to take summer school classes or have a summer job during my internship?
Taking summer school courses or participating in any other type of internship is not allowed due to the amount of time required to of the research project. Students are expected to work full-time (40 hours per week) in a supervised laboratory or clinical facility. Participation in outside activities and the establishment of a work schedule must be negotiated with your research mentor and approved by the program director prior.
Will my research experience match my research interest?
While we do our best to match your research interest with a research mentor at a partnering institution, please note that it is not guaranteed.
Does my research have to match NIDDK core mission areas?
No. However, we strongly recommend that students pursue research within the NIDDK mission areas: diabetes, endocrinology and metabolic diseases; digestive diseases and nutrition; kidney, urologic and hematologic diseases. We will attempt to match students with research mentors within NIDDK core mission areas before matching students with research mentors outside of the NIDDK core mission areas.
ELIGIBILITY
How do I know if I am eligible?
Applicants must meet the following requirements in order to be considered for the program:
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US citizen or Permanent legal resident (or classified as described below)
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16 years or older (at time of application)
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Junior or Senior in high school (at time of application)
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Be of a underrepresented group in biomedical research, disadvantaged background, or have a disability
(as described below)
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Do I have to be a US citizen to apply?
Not necessarily. If you are not a US citizen, you must be one of the following:
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Non-citizen national of the US
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Permanent legal resident of the US
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Permanent legal resident of a US affiliated territory
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Permanent legal resident of the Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Federated States of Micronesia
Do I have to prove citizenship prior to the program?
Yes. All students are required to submit a copy of a US passport, US birth certificate, or a government issued photo ID.
Who is considered a non-citizen national?
Non-citizen nationals are persons born in American Samoa, certain former citizens of the former Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and certain children of non-citizen nationals born abroad.
Is there an age or grade level eligibility required to apply?
Yes. You must be 16 years of age or older. Applicants must also be in their Junior or Senior year of high school at the time of the application period. Those in their Sophomore year must wait for next year’s cycle.
What constitutes an “underrepresented group”?
The following racial and ethnic groups have been shown to be underrepresented in biomedical research: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders. These are individuals from racial and ethnic groups that have been shown by the National Science Foundation to be underrepresented in health-related sciences on a national basis.
What is the definition of “disadvantaged background”?
An individual from a disadvantaged background is defined as an individual who comes from:
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A social, cultural or educational environment that has demonstrably and recently directly inhibited an individual from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to develop or participate in a research career or
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A family with an annual income below established low income thresholds
For individuals from low income backgrounds, the institution must be able to demonstrate that such participants have qualified for Federal disadvantaged assistance or they have received any of the following student loans: Health Professions Student Loans (HPSL), Loans for Disadvantaged Student Program, or they have received scholarships from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the Scholarship for Individuals with Exceptional Financial Need. Click here or view the image below for more information on the Current Poverty Guidelines.
Do I have to submit financial data to be considered economically disadvantaged?
No. However, students must self-report family income levels on the application to apply on the basis of being “disadvantaged”. The following income levels determine what constitutes a low-income family for determining economically disadvantaged students.
What constitutes an individual with a disability?
According to the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), a disability, with respect to an individual, a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual.
If I have a disability, will reasonable accommodations be granted?
Reasonable accommodations will be provided to selected applicants with disabilities unless doing so would cause undue hardship to the coordinating centers or research mentors. Selected applicants must request the need for reasonable accommodations prior to beginning his/or her summer research experience. Accordingly, whether a particular accommodation will impose an undue hardship to the coordinating centers or research mentors will always be determined on a case-by-case basis. In all cases, individuals supported under this program must, with reasonable assistance, be able to contribute to the research conducted by the research mentor.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
When should I apply?
We recommend that you apply as soon as possible after the application site becomes available on October 15. There will be numerous applicants submitting their applications at the last minute that may result in an electronic system crashing under the load; therefore, do not wait until the last minute to submit your application.
Is there a deadline for submission of applications?
Yes, the application deadline is February 15. Note: Partial applications that are not completed by the deadline will not receive further consideration. The STEP-UP application is available online from November 15 through February 15 each year.
What information do I need to apply?
You will need to input basic contact information about yourself, designate your eligibility criteria, and provide your academic and extracurricular information. You will also need to submit an official high school transcript, 2 letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. The application and these additional materials are due on February 15.
I applied to the STEP-UP Program last year. Can I update my application?
No. You will need to reapply and request new letters from your references.
How do I submit my transcript?
Students can upload an unofficial transcript through the online application system on or before February 15. If you are unable to upload your unofficial transcript, you must submit an official transcript by February 1. The transcript must be mailed to:
High School STEP-UP Program
II Democracy Plaza
6707 Democracy Blvd., Room 904
Bethesda, MD 20892
Does my transcript have to include my Fall semester grades?
Yes. Official academic transcripts must reflect all earned credits and grades through December of that academic year.
If I do not have access to the Internet, how can I apply?
There are paper applications available through your local program coordinator. You may also request a paper application by emailing hawaii.stepup@gmail.com.
How often should I check the status of my application?
If applying online, you should check the status of your application at least once a week until it has been marked “Complete.”
How will I know if my application is complete and has been submitted to the review committee?
If applying online, once you submit a completed application, the STEP-UP program staff will review your application. If all of your application components have been received (including your transcript), your application will be marked “COMPLETE” and you will receive a confirmation email. If your application is not marked “COMPLETE” please contact the STEP-UP program staff as soon as possible.
My application is “incomplete” what does this mean?
If your application is marked “incomplete” it means that we have not received your transcript and/or letters of recommendation. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Contact us if your application is marked “incomplete.”
How and when will I hear whether I am accepted into STEP-UP?
The NIDDK STEP-UP Director will begin notifying applicants of acceptance into the STEP-UP program by email on March 15. This will continue until all available spots are filled. Accepted applicants will be required to confirm their participation within one week of notification.
Who can I contact if I have any questions regarding the Pacific STEP-UP program?
You can email your local program coordinator or send an email to hawaii.stepup@gmail.com.