MINORITY SUMMER SCIENCE
RESEARCH AWARD PROGRAM

I. PROGRAM SUMMARY

The National Kidney Foundation of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire & Vermont, Inc. (NKF-MA/RI/NH/VT) Science Summer Research Award is an internship program available for an under represented minority high school senior who will graduate in the spring of 2005, who excels academically and is interested in pursuing a career in research, science and related fields. The selected student will work in an assigned laboratory as an integral part of a research team. The student will be supervised by an investigator and may be given reading assignments to provide background information regarding a research topic. At the conclusion of the program, the student will complete a one-page summary regarding their experience. Students are also encouraged to contact their high school science mentor to share information on their experience and promote participation of future students in the program.

The NKF-MA/RI/NH/VT dedicates its efforts to combating the ever-rising incidences of kidney and urological diseases among the minority community by providing public education programs and prevention through research. One of the innovative programs the NKF-MA/RI/NH/VT provides to promote awareness of kidney disease, is through the Summer Science Research Award program. This program offers the opportunity for minority students to gain valuable knowledge and experience through access to a major laboratory researching the causes of kidney and urological diseases. In addition to the knowledge and experience gained, the students who participate in this program also become more aware of this health problem and are able to bring this awareness back to their families and communities.

TARGET POPULATION

The NKF-MA/RI/NH/VT serves over 7,000 patients and professionals across the four state region. Since kidney disease affects minorities in disproportionate numbers compared to non-minority members, the targeted populations for this scholarship program include African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and/or other ethnic minority high school students from Massachusetts , Rhode Island , New Hampshire and Vermont . The scholarship is awarded to a high school senior that demonstrates an interest in the sciences and is planning to pursue further education in this area.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Letters are sent to High School Science Department Chairs throughout Massachusetts , Rhode Island , New Hampshire and Vermont to inform them of the Summer Science Research Award. Each Science Department is able to identify up to two students in their school who meet the criteria outlined in the application. To qualify for the program the student must have:

A selection committee chaired by a member of the NKF-MA/RI/NH/VT’s Medical Advisory Board and comprised of heads of research programs throughout the region review each application and one award is given. The selected student is notified in late May. The Selected student will receive a $2,500 stipend for summer study in a major research laboratory in the area.