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SPARCS Summer Program

Wake Forest School of Medicine
Email

 

Summer Program for Advancing Research in Cardiovascular Science (SPARCS)

2026

 

**Applicants MUST apply must through the online application at Wake Forest University School of Medicine - Handshake applications are NOT accepted**

 

Job description

The Summer Program for Advancing Research in Cardiovascular Science (SPARCS) is a full-time program held at the campuses of Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM) in Winston-Salem, NC. Program support includes funding from the American Heart Association Award for Undergraduate Student Training [26IAUST1564213]. 

 

Designed to foster interest in biomedical, and particularly cardiovascular science research, SPARCS provides research training in the cardiovascular sciences under the guidance of highly experienced faculty research mentors. Program participants will partner with WFUSM faculty to conduct research in the cardiovascular sciences choosing from topics spanning the translational spectrum (basic, clinical, and population science) with special focus on epidemiology and public health. 

 

In addition to the mentored research project, the curriculum encompasses regulatory training, foundational lectures on epidemiology, public health and lifespan research, science highlight seminars, cardiovascular methods workshops and demonstrations, as well as professional development seminars, including opportunities for postgraduate education. Students will be exposed to peer mentoring and networking events across WFUSM summer programs and will present their research findings during an end-of summer research symposium. 

 

Undergraduate students interested in a career in biomedical sciences are encouraged to apply. At the start of the program (summer 2026), students must hold junior or senior academic status and be enrolled full-time at an undergraduate degree program at a four-year college or university, or must have graduated and complete the SPARCS program immediately following graduation. Students must commit to a full-time program with a 40-hour work week throughout the program duration. 

 

 

SPARCS offers the following:

  • 10 weeks, full time, $6,000 compensation
  • Covered roundtrip travel expense to Winston-Salem
  • Paid and arranged housing in beautiful Wake Forest University residence halls
  • Free shuttle service while on campus

 

Note that week 1 of the program will be held in virtual format with mostly self-paced tasks, starting May 26, 2026, and weeks 2-10 will be in person at WFUSM.

 

As a program participant, you will:

  • Conduct cardiovascular research with an experienced faculty mentor 
  • Participate in scientific and professional development program activities as outlined above 
  • Write a scientific abstract
  • Design a poster about your research project and present at the Summer Research Symposium
  • Develop research- and critical-thinking skills
  • Actively build a peer network with other students with similar career interests 

 

Eligibility Requirements:

**Applicants MUST apply must through the online application at Wake Forest University School of Medicine - Handshake applications are NOT accepted**

 

  • Undergraduate students in good academic standing
    • A cumulative GPA of 2.85 or higher (on the 4.0 scale) is desired
  • Must have completed at least four semesters of undergraduate education

 

In addition to the completed online application, applicants must submit:

  • Academic transcript(s) – unofficial or official accepted upon application
  • Official Transcript will be requested if you are accepted to the program
  • Two professional references 
    • Personal references (including family members) are not accepted.