Leadership Alliance

The University of Virginia is a partner institution in the Leadership Alliance Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP). The mission of the Leadership Alliance is to develop underrepresented students into outstanding leaders and role models in academia, business and the public sector. The Leadership Alliance is an academic consortium of 35 institutions of higher learning, including leading research and teaching college and universities.

Program Description

Undergraduates from around the nation are invited to apply for the University of Virginia University Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP) through the Leadership Alliance www.theleadershipalliance.org. This program offers undergraduate students interested in pursuing a PhD or MD-PhD the opportunity to work for eight to ten weeks under the guidance of a faculty or research mentor at participating Alliance institutions. The SR-EIP is designed to encourage students from groups traditionally underrepresented in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities including students who identify as African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and US Pacific Islanders, to consider research careers in the academic, public, or private sectors.

Eligibility Requirements
  • US citizen or permanent resident in possession of an alien registration receipt card (I-551).
  • Applicants must be in good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 or better.
  • Completed at least two semesters and have at least one semester remaining of their undergraduate education by the start of the summer program.
  • Demonstrate an interest and potential to pursue graduate study toward a PhD or MD-PhD. The Leadership Alliance SR-EIP is not intended for students pursuing professional training careers in clinical medicine, clinical psychology, allied health professions, law, or business administration.
  • A full-time, undergraduate student that attends an accredited public or private college/university in the U.S. or its territories, as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Undergraduate students at UVA are not eligible to apply to the University of Virginia SR-EIP research site.  However, you are encouraged to apply to Leadership Alliance SR-EIP programs at other institutions.

 

Application Process

Application for the Leadership Alliance Program is only through the Leadership Alliance Summer Research-Early Identification Program (SR-EIP) online application. Application submission and other details can be found on the following website: www.theleadershipalliance.org.

Deadline for submission of application: February 1.

Living Accommodations
  • Students in the Leadership Alliance Program will live in university housing at the University of Virginia.
  • The program will provide all research and course-related expenses, a research stipend, housing, and roundtrip travel to and from the program.
  • While meals are not provided by the program, students have access to a full kitchen within residential suites of the university dormitory where they can prepare meals.  In addition, students are able to opt-in and purchase a university meal plan during their summer research experience.

 

Participant Responsibilities
  • Be available to conduct research for 8-10 weeks of research and present an oral or poster presentation at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium (LANS).
  • This opportunity has a duration of one summer.
  • Students are required to participate for the full duration period of the program.

 

Activities
  • Undergraduates will work under the guidance of a research mentor at a participating Alliance institution for eight weeks.
  • Students will gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience in an academic research environment.
  • All Leadership Alliance participants are expected to compose an abstract for the research project, present their research findings in an oral or poster presentation format at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium (LANS), and complete a program evaluation at the end of their summer research activity.
  • Students will receive round-trip travel to Charlottesville, housing, and a stipend for their participation in the Leadership Alliance program.