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Cardiovascular Research Center

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

Student working in lab

Program Overview

The MCW Cardiovascular Research 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.

Learn more about the ASPIRE program (PDF)

The application window has now closed for Summer 2026. Please check back in November 2026 for the next application cycle.

Stephen Daramola
Drucilla Forson and Grace Ogwu
Azeez Ganiyu

About the ASPIRE Program

Important ASPIRE Program Dates

Application Deadline: February 1, 2026
Applications Open November 1st for Summer 2026

Program Dates
May 27 – July 31, 2026 (housing move-in date is May 26; housing move-out date is August 1 by noon)

Location

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

8701 Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226

Application Requirements

  • Application Deadline: February 1, 2026
    The application window has now closed for Summer 2026. Please check back in November 2026 for the next application cycle.
  • Two letters of recommendations from current/former instructors or advisors
  • Official transcript
  • Finalists must attend virtual interview
  • Program acceptance is not made on any single metric; applications are reviewed holistically

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

Eligibility

  • At least 18 years old by time of program
  • Actively-enrolled and must have completed at least one undergraduate year at an accredited U.S. (or U.S. territories) college or university (rising sophomore, junior, or senior; must not have graduated)
  • United States citizen or permanent resident
  • GPA is considered as a part of a holistic review of each application
  • Strong interest in cardiovascular science or medicine

Visit our program on Instagram

Contact Us

For questions about accommodations related to a disability, please contact pathwayaccommodations@mcw.edu.

Allison DeVan, PhD, MA

Scientific Administrator
adevan@mcw.edu

Erin Theriault, MS

Program Manager
etheriault@mcw.edu

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