Program Dates: Monday June 22, 2026 – Friday, August 14, 2026 

• Accepted students must commit to full participation for entirety of program 
• 2 mandatory pre-arrival orientation meetings will be scheduled in June 

Location: Orange County, California 

• Students will be housed on the UC Irvine main campus in Irvine, California
• Program activities and work sites will be on main campus and other UCI Health-affiliated sites throughout Orange County
  • Off-campus work sites are TBD and transportation will be provided to all off-campus work/program activities 

Funding and Support

$5,500 stipend (subject to completion of related program requirements and deadlines)

Disbursement schedule:

• 50% to be disbursed 1-2 weeks before program begins 
• 40% to be disbursed at mid-way point of program 
• 10% to be disbursed upon conclusion of program 

Housing and Meals

• Room and board to be covered by the program 
  • Double occupancy dormitory rooms on UC Irvine campus 
    • Move-In: June 21
    • Move-Out: August 15
    • There are no exceptions to move-in and move-out dates
  • 3 daily meals in campus dining hall 
  • Membership to campus gym/recreation center 

The UC Irvine School of Medicine HBCU Program is a full-time commitment similar to working a full-time job or enrolling in a full-time university course load. Students will work toward a variety of professional and academic goals that at times may require individual, self-directed work, and other times require collaborative work amongst teams of medical and scientific personnel.  Program participants will have access to free Wi-fi, the UC Irvine student center and libraries, and study areas in the dorm, providing a variety of environments to engage in both individual and collective work. 

While the program generally adheres to a 35-40 hour work week, program expectations may require additional work on nights and weekends, outside of traditional working hours and formal professional work spaces, as well as special events such as workshops, lectures, and networking events.  The program aims to provide participants with a holistic view of life as both medical professionals and scientists. Prospective applicants should be prepared to fully engage with both the research and clinical components, embracing the program’s challenging yet rewarding structure. 

The program provides an integrated learning experience that combines research and clinical training

Bench Research: Research will comprise a significant portion of the program curriculum and schedule: two 3-week intervals totaling six weeks. Students will gain experience in faculty-directed research. Activities will vary by department and research program, but may include work in study design, data collection, and data analysis within their assigned area. The experience culminates in a summer research symposium, where students present their work in the form of an academic poster.  

Clinical Experience: Students will participate in a two-week clinical rotation. Clinical activities will vary by department and faculty and may include observing patient care, learning clinical workflows, and seeing how research translates into practice. This component bridges the gap between laboratory science and patient care, providing a holistic understanding of biomedical sciences in real-world healthcare. 

Professional Development: Weekly workshops will offer students multiple perspectives to assist in their career development as aspiring healthcare professionals and scientists. These sessions will focus on key topics such as medical school admissions, research ethics, clinical skills, and other contemporary professional topics. These classes are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their academic and professional journeys. 

Weekly Reflections: Students will submit weekly reflection assignments to provide feedback on their academic, professional, and social experiences throughout each respective week of the program. This confidential feedback will be used to inform program evaluation, offering valuable insights for improving the experience for faculty, staff, and students. 

Networking and Community Events: The program emphasizes building a strong sense of community and connection that will support students throughout their future endeavors. The program schedule features regular events and meetings with other summer programs and departments across campus. Events can include social gatherings with other UCI-HBCU programs, educational workshops, and off-campus activities. The goal of these events is to foster connections with students, faculty, and staff in a supportive and informal environment. 

Student Summer Research Symposium: Students’ research experience will culminate with an academic poster presentation summarizing their project, including methods, findings, and implications. This poster will be developed throughout the six-week research period and presented in a public symposium featuring the entire UC Irvine SOM HBCU Summer cohort. This presentation serves as a platform to practice scientific communication of your research findings, and may offer opportunities to develop your work into further presentations and publications after the program’s conclusion.

Each student will be assigned to work with a department within the UC Irvine School of Medicine, where they will engage in 6 weeks of research and 2 weeks of clinical experience: 

School of Medicine Departments

As part of the application process, students will have the opportunity to indicate up to 5 choices, in ranked order, for departmental placement. The program committee will consider these preferences, though final placements depend on department availability, program needs, and the overall student applicant pool. It is strongly recommended that applicants’ interest in these program(s) be described and reflected through your additional application materials.

For a full list of the UC Irvine School of Medicine’s clinical departments and their respective websites, visit https://medschool.uci.edu/research/clinical-departments.

Faculty Mentors

Students accepted to the program will be paired with 2 faculty mentors from your assigned department: one research mentor and one clinical mentor, respectively. Mentors guide students in understanding the research culture, clinical norms, and professional environment of their department. Research mentors help students develop research experience through a faculty-led project and introductions to research labs and staff, including scientists, postdocs, and graduate students. During the clinical experience, mentors may introduce students to clinical staff, medical students, residents, and other healthcare professionals. Students will work closely with mentors throughout the program to ensure a mutually beneficial learning experience.

Students are eligible to apply regardless of their race, religion, gender, national origin, citizenship, or any other identity that is protected by California state and/or federal law from educational and/or employment-based discrimination. 

Academic Standing

The program invites applications from students with Sophomore standing or higher, with a projected graduation date of Fall 2026 or later. Program applicants must be enrolled as full-time students in good academic standing at the time of application, and, if admitted to the program, must remain as such through Spring 2026 and Fall 2026 semesters. Please be advised that offers will be withdrawn if students are not enrolled for Spring 2026. Applicants should have a strong academic record, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Exceptional candidates who demonstrate outstanding achievements or a strong passion for biomedical sciences will be given special consideration.

Relevant Background

The program places a significant focus on research. Applicants should have foundational coursework in biology, chemistry, or other health sciences-related subjects. Prior research,  laboratory, or clinical experience is not required. However, exposure to research or a demonstrated interest in biomedical sciences is encouraged.  

We also welcome students with extra-curricular, community service, professional experience building toward a career in medicine or the health sciences.

The application cycle for the 2026 cohort will open on Monday, December 15, 2025 and close on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at 11:59pm Pacific Time.

Applications will not be accepted after January 4, and there are no exceptions.

All prospective applicants will receive a link to the online application submission form on December 15. If you have not done so already, please enter your contact information in our online interest form at https://tinyurl.com/UCIHBCUSummer26. This will ensure timely delivery of the application link.

Students who do not receive a link may manually request one by emailing beehbcu@hs.uci.edu. All prospective students, please be aware that your application link may vary depending on your home university.

As part of the application, students must submit the following materials as PDF files: 

1. Personal Statement: In a one-page personal statement (12 pt Times New Roman or Arial, 400–600 words), reflect on your journey and motivations for pursuing a path in healthcare, science, or research.
   
   Your statement should address the following:
   • Who You Are
     • Introduce yourself and share what has shaped your curiosity and desire to explore the fields of healthcare, science, or research.
   • Formative Experiences
     • Describe the key experiences—academic (inside or outside the classroom), personal, or extracurricular—that have influenced your interest in this field. Highlight moments that sparked growth, changed your perspective, or strengthened your commitment.
   • Goals and Future Impact
     • Explain what you hope to accomplish pursuing a future in the field of healthcare, medicine, science, or research.
       
2. Statement of Purpose: In a one-page purpose statement (12 pt Times New Roman or Arial, 400–600 words), explain what you hope to learn through this program and how it connects to your future aspirations.
   
   Your response should address the following: 
   • Your Goals and Interests 
     • Share what you hope to gain from participating in this program and why it is a good fit for you, including what excites you about its structure, content, or activities. Explain how your academic or career goals connect to what this program offers. 
   • Research Interests 
     • Even if you haven’t had much research experience yet, describe what interests you about research, why you want to learn more, and any small steps you have taken inside or outside the classroom to explore it.  
   • Relevant Preparation and Experiences
     • Describe the experiences (academic, professional, extracurricular, personal, or community-based) that have prepared you for this opportunity. Highlight the skills, perspectives, or motivations you bring that will help you succeed and contribute meaningfully during the summer program. 
       
3. Resume/CV outlining all relevant academic, professional, extra-curricular, and community service experience. Tips for writing resumes and CVs can be found at: https://career.uci.edu/undergraduate/develop-a-resume-cover-letter/resume-and-cover-letter-examples/
   
   
4. Unofficial undergraduate transcript from all colleges/universities attended, including Fall 2025 semester grades.

Interested applicants should be aware that due to the required inclusion of Fall 2025 grades, the final submission of your application will occur during your Winter Break. It is your responsibility to remain up to date with your application requirements and maintain any open lines of communication with UCI staff during this time.