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Summer Research Program

CSTEP summer students in front of the UB Jacobs School of Management.

CSTEP summer students in front of the UB Jacobs School of Management.

The 2026 CSTEP Summer Research Program Application is CLOSED.

Stay competitive by spending your summer with us.

The CSTEP Summer Research Program is an 8.5-week program that offers an intensive research experience and the skills you need as you pursue your profession or graduate school. It is designed to benefit talented students pursuing advanced degrees in STEM, allied health and licensed professions.

The 8.5-week Summer Research Program takes place annually from late May through July. Participants are immersed in the intense culture of research, cultivating their skills while diving deep into their chosen subject with the support and guidance of a faculty mentor.

At the end of the program, participants present their research at the Annual Research Symposium to an audience of their peers, faculty and the university community. Summer Research Program students also present at the UB Undergraduate Research Conference to their peers from around the state and nation.

Research interns work a minimum of 25-30 hours per week and are expected to satisfy the following requirements:

  • Mandatory attendance at orientation, research seminar, workshops, field trips and other events.
  • Participation in oral presentations, the Annual Research Symposium and UB Undergraduate Research Conference.
  • Completion of all assignments given by research mentor.
  • Submission of biweekly timesheets to CSTEP staff.
  • Must be a U.S citizen or permanent resident.
  • Must be income eligible (according to the New York State Education Department guidelines). 
  • Must be a rising sophomore, junior or senior.
  • Must have a minimum of 2.800 GPA.
  • Must be pursuing a New York State licensed profession such as nursing, dentistry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine, pharmacy, social work, psychology, law or be in a STEM field.
  • Must have an interest in research.

When you participate in the CSTEP Summer Research Program, you undertake an in-depth research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor. You’ll form meaningful relationships with mentors and fellow students; round out your experience with workshops, community service and field trips, and the 3.0-credit Research Methods Seminar; and find your place in a community of future STEM and licensed professionals. All participants receive a $4,000 Stipend + Tuition + Meal Card for a total approximate value of $5,500. On-campus housing assistance is available for non-local students.

“The Summer Research Program showed me the different uses and applications of computer science, which I had never thought of before, as well as giving me a quick intro into machine learning and AI.” -Sulayman Ceesay, Computer Science Major 
 
“This experience enhanced my understanding of human anatomy and physiology by reading numerous research papers. I felt that my knowledge in these areas significantly improved through conducting research.” -Kymani Getfield, Nuclear Medicine Technology Major

“It was incredible. I had never worked in a wet lab like this before, and it taught me so many new techniques that I would use in my future lab classes.” Li Yi Hu, Chemistry Major 

“This experience helped me to learn to think on my feet, problem solve, and plan based on other circumstances.” Wisdom Akinyele, Psychology Major

“I feel as though I was able to finally find joy in my major and something to look forward to. Sometimes certain courses can be discouraging and obscure you from your goals/dreams, but having the opportunity to do research was a blessing and opened my eyes to many more options in Biomedical Engineering.” -Jelyse Williams, Biomedical Engineering/Biology Major 

“The CSTEP Summer Research Program was truly transformative. Working alongside my faculty mentor allowed me to take ownership of my project and apply what I learned in class to real-world problems. The workshops and field trips strengthened my communication, presentation, and critical-thinking skills, while the experience as a whole taught me discipline and reminded me that nothing good comes easy. Most importantly, I gained confidence in my ability to pursue graduate-level research and push beyond my comfort zone.” -Doaa Kanan, BA Biological Sciences ’25 (MS Biomedical Sciences Student, CSTEP Alumni)

“This experience greatly helped me expand my field-based knowledge into a broader range. It improved my work ethic, way of solving issues and gave me a push to be a leader both in the lab and out .”  -Mariadela Demoura, BS Biological Sciences ’25 (CSTEP Alumni)

“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t discouraged and overwhelmed by the plethora of new and confusing information, but through this struggle, I polished my mind and persevered, which is invaluable in the field of research. Establishing this background will prove to be pivotal in my future successes as this area of chemistry is highly intertwined with biological processes, and I would have never learned this information in my regular, planned coursework.” -LadieJocelynn Shabazz, BS Medicinal Chemistry ’25 (PhD Chemistry Student at StonyBrook University, CSTEP Alumni)

“I was able to experience many of the topics I learned in class in a hands-on environment, which deepened my interest in Developmental Biology and Cell Engineering. I believe it also enhanced my manual dexterity and study methods, which will play an important role in my dental aspirations.” Sebastian Pardo, BS Biological Sciences ’24 (Pre-Dental/MA Biological Sciences Student, CSTEP Alumni)