Summer Research Fellowship
Summer Research Fellowship Overview
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEI) was tasked with identifying and addressing issues of diversity within the ASP. One of the most critical challenges facing STEM fields in the US, which is reflected within the ASP, is a lack of racial and ethnic representation among our membership, leadership, award recipients, and meeting speakers. Structural and systemic inequities, such as inequitable access to education, housing, jobs, government programs and benefits, and treatment under the criminal justice system, have served as barriers to Black, Indigenous and Latinx (BIL) students that wish to advance through the scientific training pipeline. The data show that there is a significant loss of BIL students who advance from undergraduate to graduate-level studies. This has contributed to fewer BIL faculty, senior scientists and mentors.
One inequity that is specific to the physical sciences is the opportunity to engage in volunteer research in a laboratory. Authentic research experiences are a critical currency for graduate school applications in these fields. Students develop research, writing, and presentation skills, and also establish important relationships with mentors who can provide advice and letters of recommendation. Importantly, they give applicants competitive advantage in the review process and act as a major entryway to a graduate education. Indeed, it is common for committees making admissions decisions for graduate schools in the STEM fields to consider only those applicants who have had sustained participation in undergraduate research.
As a first step to correct for a misrepresentation of BIL students in our field, the ASP DEI Committee, Executive Committee, ASP Foundation, and ASP Fellows collaborated to develop and fund the SRF program for undergraduates. It is designed to recruit BIL students to the natural product sciences and enable their transition from undergraduate education to graduate school.
Towards this goal the ASP offers a 2.5-month summer research fellowship to support students in lab-based research under the supervision of an ASP faculty mentor. Summer research fellows will receive a total stipend of $5,000 for the summer period and will participate in lab research and a series of weekly online training and professional development workshops led by a team of ASP faculty. These weekly workshops are designed to equip undergraduate trainees with a diverse array of skill sets to prepare them for their laboratory experiences, graduate school and/or professional careers in the natural product sciences. They include instruction for advanced science communication, exposure to careers in natural products, and development of skills needed to be successful in a graduate program.
We expect to support at least two summer research fellows each year. Application instructions are provided below.
Summer Research Fellowship Directions
Eligibility
ASP summer research fellowships are open to students who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or Latina/o/x. Students should be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program at a college or university in the United States (including Puerto Rico and other US territories), and be majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, or a biomedical science field. Mentors must be ASP members (note: free ASP membership is offered to all students and faculty at majority minority serving institutions, information can be found on our Membership page). We recognize the interconnectedness of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender, and will seek particularly to support applicants who may be disadvantaged as a result of intersectionality.
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Application Process
Step 1. Choose a Mentor
The mentor/mentee pairing is critical to the success of the application and the 2.5 month summer research fellowship. Mentors must be current ASP members (note: free membership is offered to all students, faculty, and alumni of minority-serving institutions, including historically Black colleges and universities, tribal colleges and universities, and Hispanic-serving institutions. New and returning ASP members are eligible to be mentors if they are current at the time of application). A non-comprehensive list of potential mentors and their research areas has been assembled by the ASP, though applicants are not required to select their mentor from this list: (http://www.pharmacognosy.us/natural-product-programs-and-research/). The fellowship does not include additional funds for travel and accommodation beyond the total stipend, so please consider this when selecting a mentor; it is highly recommended to pick a local mentor to the extent possible. The prospective mentor must agree to host you in their lab for the entire summer if the application is successful. The mentor is responsible for providing a statement of support as part of your application (see below).
We encourage the student to reach out to the mentor and communicate early and often in advance of the application submission. Part of your initial message to the potential mentor could read as follows:
“The American Society of Pharmacognosy is sponsoring a summer research fellowship program for undergraduates to engage in research in the natural product sciences (the ASP would provide my full summer salary). A link to program details is here. [State why you are interested in their potential research program]. Would you consider sponsoring my application for a position in your laboratory this summer? If so, I will need a brief mentor statement from you to submit to the ASP SRF program. Additionally, I would like to meet with you prior to your commitment to sponsor my application to discuss your research and my potential fit in your program.”
Developing a clear line of communication and a mutually agreed upon summer research and mentorship plan with your mentor will greatly improve the likelihood of being awarded the fellowship.
If you do not feel comfortable initiating contact with a potential mentor, or if you would like to apply to the program but are unable to identify a potential mentor, please reach out to aspsummerfellowship@pharmacognosy.us and we will do our best to assist you in identifying a potential mentor.
Step 2. Complete ASP SRF Application
https://asph.memberclicks.net/asp-summer-fellowship-application-form
Answer all questions on the form.
Step 3. Upload Personal Essay, Transcripts and Résumé
Personal essay should be maximum length of 1 page (roughly 600 words), and your undergraduate transcripts. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. The transcript(s) must be provided from any institutions of higher learning that you have attended since graduating from high school. In addition to the essay and transcripts, please include a copy of your résumé. Upload these as directed in the application form.
Step 4. Mentor Completes Mentor Statement Form
Please ask your mentor to follow the link and fill out their relevant section of the form including the mentor statement.
https://asph.memberclicks.net/asp-summer-fellowship-application-form
The mentor statement should describe
- the mentor’s agreement to host the mentee in their lab for the summer
- the mentor’s availability and commitment to mentoring the mentee during this time
- the specific project that the mentor and mentee agree to work on together based on mutual interests and capabilities.
- a description of the summer research and training plans for the mentees
Mentors are especially encouraged to describe the envisioned interaction of the mentee with the mentor and other members of the mentor’s lab members and/or departments, expected group meetings or other presentation/interaction opportunities, along with measurable goals for the professional and scientific development of the mentee that are reasonably achievable in the 2.5 months of sponsored funding time frame. Here is a checklist summarizing the information mentors should include in their mentoring plans.
Step 5. Ask for Letter(s) of Recommendation
https://asph.memberclicks.net/asp-srf-recommendation-form
We require two letters of recommendation written by a current and/or former professor/instructor or advisor/mentor. Each letter should describe your working relationship and experience with the letter writer, as well as your academic potential and convey your interest in sciences and research. The letters must be written on official college/university letterhead and contain a signature. The person recommending you will need to submit the recommendation via a link that will be provided to you by email during your application process.
Step 6. Applications Accepted February 1 - March 1, 2026
Only complete applications will be considered.