High School & Undergraduate Programs

Stephenson Cancer Center (SCC) provides several opportunities for high school and undergraduate students who are interested in biomedical and behavioral research and in health profession careers. Students interested in exploring careers in science and medicine are encouraged to apply.

Stephenson Cancer Center Programs

American Cancer Society Scientific Training in Oncology (STRONG) Post-Baccalaureate Program
The American Cancer Society (ACS) has awarded the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center the Diversity in Cancer Research Post-Baccalaureate Fellows Program grant to fund the American Cancer Society Scientific Training in Oncology (STRONG) Program. STRONG aims to increase diversity in the cancer research workforce by increasing the number of under-represented groups in the biomedical field. The goal of this program is to expose fellows to cancer research and provide career development activities that will help them prepare for a career in cancer research. The STRONG program is designed as a two-year cancer research experience for individuals with a bachelor’s degree who intend to pursue a doctoral degree in biomedical science, data science, population health, public health, or a health profession. The program will pay a stiped of $35,000 per year to each fellow.

High priority will be given to individuals from underrepresented minority (URM) groups. Specific populations that are underrepresented in science, including grant funding, such as certain racial and ethnic groups, first generation college graduates, or those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. These groups are collectively called populations underrepresented in science.

Applications are due by October 13, 2024

For questions, please contact program manager Karen Zaturski at karen-zaturski@ouhsc.edu.

Apply Online

National Cancer Institute YES Oklahoma
A program for eligible American Indian high school juniors and seniors that will provide a research training strategy in which students will engage in hands-on scientific research, with a strong emphasis in cancer research. The program is an intensive summer research experience for college credit. Two different cohort groups, one of students and one of Oklahoma teachers, will support community building and sustainability of the student training pipeline.

The application will open September 1, 2024 for partner tribes (Commanche Nation, Wichita and Affiliated Tribes and Kiowa Tribe) as well as partner schools (Riverside Indian School, Anadarko High School, Carnegie High School and Gracemont High School). On October 1, 2024 the application will open to other schools/tribal citizens. The application portal will close on December 1, 2024.

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Cancer Undergraduate Research Experience – High School Summer Program (CURE Jr.)
A one-day summer program for rising Oklahoma high school juniors and seniors to learn about careers in cancer research and medicine. CURE Jr. provides students with an overview of cancer and how researchers in the basic, translational and clinical sciences are fighting this disease.

Cancer Undergraduate Research Experience Program (CURE)
An eight-week summer research program open to college juniors and seniors. Now entering its second decade, the CURE Program provides students with an intensive summer experience working on research projects under the mentorship of cancer investigators. Students complete an independent research project and present results at the conclusion.

American Cancer Society Diversity in Cancer Research Summer Internship
A ten-week summer research internship program open to rising college sophomores, juniors and seniors majoring in STEM-related fields. The internship provides students from underrepresented populations (Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander) gain experience working on research projects under the mentorship of cancer investigators. The program provides a $5,000 salary for selected interns.

Cancer Research Immersion Summer Program (CRISP) for Undergraduates
The C-REP has developed the Cancer Research Immersion Summer Program (CRISP) which is a nine-week summer research program for undergraduate students to gain experience in cancer health equity research. CRISP provides formal mentorship and hands-on research experiences as well as the opportunity for students to present their research at the conclusion of the program. The CRISP research topic areas are focused on American Indian cancer health equity research and may be related to basic laboratory science, clinical and translational research, or public and community health.

OU Health Sciences Programs

OU Health Sciences offers several educational experiences for undergraduate students interested in exploring careers in medicine and research. Some of these programs are specifically tailored to students from populations underrepresented in these fields.

Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)
Hosted by the OU Health Sciences Graduate College, the SURE Program is aimed at preparing undergraduate students to pursue careers in biomedical research or health-related sciences through hands-on research experiences in the laboratories of OU Health Sciences biomedical faculty mentors.

Native American Research Center for Health (NARCH) Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the NARCH Summer Undergraduate Research Program provides a research experience for American Indian students affiliated with any Oklahoma Tribe who have completed two years of undergraduate study.

Oklahoma INBRE Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Oklahoma INBRE Summer Undergraduate Research Program provides an opportunity for undergraduate students from a qualifying regional university or community college in Oklahoma to participate in an 8-week summer biomedical research experience at OU Health Sciences or the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF). Visit the program webpage for more information and a list of qualifying institutions.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, please contact email SCCCRTEC@ouhsc.edu.