Blazer BRAIN Undergraduate Summer Program

Blazer BRAIN is an eight-week summer program designed for undergraduate students with limited research opportunities at their home institutions, seeking hands-on neuroscience research experience. The program aims to enhance student competitiveness for admission into Ph.D.-focused graduate programs by providing intensive professional development and research training. Students entering their junior or senior year by the start of the program are particularly encouraged to apply. All participants will receive a stipend and on-campus housing at UAB.

Students will engage in intensive research laboratory experiences designed to immerse them into an active lab team for eight weeks. Under the supervision of a faculty member and lab staff, students will have the opportunity to learn the basic skills necessary to contribute to a research program. Students will participate in all aspects of both the intellectual and practical aspects of daily laboratory work.

Students will:

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  Train in various research methods

  
  
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  Perform protocols and data analysis

  
  
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  Attend lab meetings

  
  
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  Create and deliver written and oral presentations of their results at a research forum presented to the entire UAB research community

  
  

Blazer BRAIN students are mentored by faculty members from the Heersink School of Medicine with active neuroscience research. Students are encouraged to explore protentional mentors whose research aligns with their specific aspirations.

Potential mentors can be found in the following departments:

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  Department of Neurobiology

  
  
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  Department of Neurology

  
  
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  Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology

  
  
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  Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrated Biology

  
  
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  UAB Comprehensive Neuroscience Center

  
  

In addition to their lab work, students will gain valuable experience in preparing for the graduate admissions process, including crafting personal statements, securing letters of recommendation, and participating in mock interviews. Students will also gain understanding of how graduate school differs from undergraduate studies while also learning to balance critical activities such as oral presentations, seminars, and journal club.

We seek to train students with Ph.D.-focused career aspirations from backgrounds lacking extensive neuroscience research opportunities at their home institutions.

Blazer BRAIN will take place from June 1 to July 24, 2026, and participants must commit to attending the entire program. All fields of the online application are required for consideration. Please take your time to fully answer each component. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals.

The following is required to apply:

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  Two letters of recommendation

  
  
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  Email addresses of your recommenders must be included in your initial application packet. Please ensure accuracy of these emails.

  
  
  
  
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    Letters must be confidential and submitted directly by your reference no later than the application deadline.

    
    
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    References should not have a conflict of interest (e.g. family members).

    
    
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    References should provide relevant information as to why Blazer BRAIN is important for your academic progression.

    
    
  
  
  
  

The selection process is as follows:

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  Complete applications will be reviewed after February 28, 2026, by the Blazer BRAIN Admissions Committee

  
  
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  Finalists will be contacted by email

  
  
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  Final offer letters will be emailed to participants, and a decision will be required within two weeks

  
  

Any applicant who has not heard from the program director by April 30 is encouraged to apply again next year.

Please contact us at sibs@uab.edu.