Frequently Asked Questions

• K-INBRE provides research experience, personalized mentoring, and financial support to undergraduate science students who intend to pursue career opportunities in biomedical research.
• Depending upon availability of funds, we anticipate that K-INBRE scholarships will provide up to $6,000.
• The funds may be used for any purpose that supports the recipient's participation in research.
• A small allowance for research supplies will be provided to the student's mentor.

• Typically, K-INBRE scholars are sophomores, juniors, or seniors.
• We require participation in the annual state-wide K-INBRE symposium, typically held in January. Thus, seniors who intend to graduate in May are eligible only if they can commit to attending and  presenting at the symposium.
• Individuals that have not previously received K-INBRE funding will be given priority.
• If you have a question about your eligibility, please contact the K-INBRE Camups Coordinator, Dr. Brian D. Ackley at bdackley@ku.edu.

A call for applications will be sent out in December. Applications will be accepted via the Applications page on this website. Depending on availability of funds, eight to ten new award recipients will be selected each year.

A complete application will include the following items:

• A completed application form
• A current KU DPR form
• Be prepared to answer the following questions as part of the application process:
  • How did you become interested in science? (300-word limit)
  • What areas or aspects of science interest you the most and why? (300-word limit)
  • Describe your long-term career aspirations and your plans for achieving those goals following graduation from KU. (300-word limit)
  • Project Description - Please provide a description of the project you intend to pursue with K-INBRE support. (750-word limit)
    • Please include any relevant previous research experience you have. You many include a separate paragraph on other research experiences that you have had that do not relate to your intended project. You should discuss your research plan with your mentor.
• A letter of recommendation from your KU faculty mentor
• One additional letter of recommendation

Questions about the application process should be sent to Brian D. Ackley at bdackley@ku.edu

Finding the right mentor for you is a critical step to participating in research. If you are already in a research lab, and would like to apply for K-INBRE support, then you can do so. If you have questions about whether your work fits into the framework of the K-INBRE, please ask.

However, if you are looking for a lab to join, the best place to start, is to get a feel for the research being conducted by faculty using their websites. Then, email professors whose work interests you. Explain what it was about their research that drew your interest, and what your goals are after graduation. This will help the faculty understand what you are hoping to get from the experience.

Be prepared to hear a polite "No" as many faculty have only so much space in their lab. And, sometimes people get busy, so if you hear nothing, it is acceptable after a few days to follow up with an additional email. 

However, you may get positive replies from more than one. At that point, they will explain the next steps, e.g. a brief meeting, etc. Make sure to follow up with everyone who replies, and then, once you have selected a lab, be sure to reach out to anyone you were also speaking with to notify them that you have joined a different lab.

In general, our faculty come from one of the following departments, although it is possible to have K-INBRE supported projects from others. 

• Chemistry
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Molecular Biosciences
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Pharmacology & Toxicology
• Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
• Bioengineering

• Scholars must maintain a strong standing in their mentor's research laboratory.
• Scholars will be expected to immerse themselves deeply into full-time research activities during the summer period (typically 30 hours per week). Successful awards are dependent upon full summer participation.
• Scholars will keep a proper record of all their lab activities in the form of a formal research notebook.
• Scholars will produce a comprehensive written report of their research activities and accomplishments at the end of the year.
• Scholars will present their research results at the annual Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium in July and at the K-INBRE state-wide symposium in January.

Please see the information and application packet for more information about expectations of K-INBRE scholars.

This project was supported by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under grant number P20 GM103418. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences or the National Institutes of Health.

or

Supported by the Kansas INBRE, P20 GM10341