Additional programs
Sometimes our office might not offer a program that suits your professional needs or career interests, or you may not be eligible for one as of yet. If that is the case, we encourage you to check out the following programmatic opportunities, which also includes research programs across VCU and other institutions as well. For your convenience, these opportunities have been divided into three groups: VCU academic-year, VCU summer, and Other institutions.
Lobs & Lessons
Open to elementary and middle school students in the Richmond area. Lobs & Lessons after-school programs promote life skills, college and career exploration, provide homework assistance and introduce tennis as a healthy lifestyle activity.
To learn more, visit the Lobs & Lessons after-school programs website.
Initiative for Maximizing Student Development Scholars Program (IMSD)
Open to VCU undergraduates at the end of their freshman year, through their senior year, who are interested in research training for biomedical sciences. IMSD provides a series of mentored research experiences, basic biomedical research concepts instruction, preparation for the Graduate Record Exam and career development advice. IMSD Scholars are paid during their research experience.
To learn more, visit the IMSD Scholars Program website.
Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)
Open to recent college graduates from underrepresented groups considering graduate-level training in the biomedical sciences. PREP provides scholars with a yearlong mentored research experience, the opportunity to develop technical and critical-thinking skills, graduate-level courses and a GRE preparation course. PREP scholars are paid during their experience.
To learn more, visit the PREP website.
Premedical Graduate Certificate Program (CERT)
Open to recent college graduates seeking to enhance their qualifications for admission into professional school, including medical, dental and veterinary school. CERT is a one-year, graduate-level program for individuals where participants who successfully complete the program also have an opportunity to continue to a Master of Science or Ph.D. degree program within the School of Medicine.
To learn more, visit the CERT Program website.
Lobs & Lessons
Open to elementary and middle school students in the Richmond area. Lobs & Lessons summer camp programs promote healthy lifestyle activities, and include sports and games from around the world. Cost is $199 per week.
To learn more, visit the Lobs & Lessons Summer Programs website.
Discovery
Open to current 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in the Richmond area who have an interest in the arts, humanities and sciences. Discovery is offered in five week long sessions where participants attend classes in university classrooms and laboratories on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus and at the VCU Health Campus. Cost per week is either $199 or $249 depending on the inclusion of the Health Lifestyles programming.
To learn more, visit the Discovery program website.
Freshman Research Institute (FRI)
Open to incoming VCU freshmen in the VCU Honors College interested in research. FRI participants meet with faculty from a wide range of disciplines, including life sciences, biomedical engineering, nursing and medicine to explore how research is conducted in various academic fields. There is no cost to participate and on-campus housing is provided.
To learn more, visit the Freshman Research Institute website.
Honors Summer Undergraduate Research Program (HSURP)
Open to current VCU Honors College students with at least one semester remaining at VCU. HSURP is an opportunity where participants work one-on-one with a faculty mentor in various disciplines and participate in professional development workshops for eight weeks during the summer. Participants receive on-campus housing and a stipend.
To learn more, visit the Honors Summer Undergraduate Research Program website.
Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP)
Open to current college freshmen and sophomores interested in the health professions. SHPEP offers participants a variety of academic and career experiences that will support their health professional career preparation at various universities across the country. Participants receive on-campus housing and a stipend.
To learn more, visit the SHPEP website.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases’ Short-Term Educator Program for Underrepresented Persons (NIDDK STEP-UP)
Open to college undergraduates from underrepresented groups considering training in the biomedical sciences. STEP-UP participants spend 10 weeks at a university of their choice, working with faculty on research projects in areas such as diabetes, endocrinology, metabolism, nutrition, obesity, digestive, liver, urologic, kidney and hematologic diseases. At the end of the program, participants present a national research symposium.
To learn more, visit the NIDDK STEP-UP website.