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Cardiovascular Center

MCW Advancing Student Potential for Inclusion with Research Experiences (ASPIRE)

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Applications are open for Summer 2025. Application deadline is February 1, 2025.
Application for the Summer 2025 ASPIRE Program
Student working in lab

Program Overview

The MCW Cardiovascular Center has paid mentored 10-week full-time summer experiences in cardiovascular research in our research laboratories. The Advancing Student Potential for Inclusion with Research Experiences (ASPIRE) Program is supported by a federal grant from the NHLBI.

This program provides summer experiences in cardiovascular research and STEMM/healthcare career preparation for up to 13 undergraduate students each summer who belong to underrepresented groups in science and medicine including individuals who belong to ethnic/racial minorities, Hmong, who are differently-abled of any race or ethnicity, and/or who come from a disadvantaged background of any race or ethnicity.

Learn more about the ASPIRE Program (PDF)

Stephen Daramola
Drucilla Forson and Grace Ogwu
Azeez Ganiyu

About the ASPIRE Program

Important ASPIRE Program Dates

Application Deadline: Feb. 1, 2025
Applications open Oct. 1 for Summer 2025

Program Dates
May 28-August 1, 2025 (tentative)

Location

The experience will be held in person at the Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee Campus:

8701 Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226

Eligibility

  • From under-represented ethnic/racial minorities or Hmong or who are from any race or ethnicity that have a disability or who are from a disadvantaged background
  • At least 18 years old by time of program
  • Full-time undergraduate, a rising sophomore, junior, or senior at any United States (or United States territory) college or university
  • United States citizen or permanent resident
  • Interested in science or health care-related field, especially cardiovascular science and medicine
  • GPA is considered as a part of a holistic review of each application

Application Requirements

  • Application Deadline: Feb. 1, 2025 (Applications open Oct. 1 for Summer 2025)
  • Online Application
  • Two letters of recommendations from current/former instructors or advisors
  • Official transcript
  • Finalists must attend virtual interview

Program Benefits

  • Compensation of $6,000
  • Free housing provided for those outside of the metro Milwaukee area
  • Free one-time roundtrip airfare to/from Milwaukee airport to allow students who are located more than four hours from Milwaukee (and coming from a location in the United States or its territories) to relocate for the summer to attend the program
  • $1,400 stipend for conference-related expenses (travel, lodging, registration) to attend optional scientific conference with faculty mentor

Visit our program on Instagram

Contact Us

For questions about accommodations related to a disability, please contact Allison DeVan.

Allison DeVan, PhD, MA

Scientific Administrator
adevan@mcw.edu

Erin Theriault, MS

Program Manager
etheriault@mcw.edu

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