AGA-Aman Armaan Ahmed Family SURF for Success Program

AGA-Aman Armaan Ahmed Family SURF for Success Program

These summer undergraduate research fellowships (SURF) support undergraduate students from groups traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research to perform 10 weeks of research related to digestive diseases under the mentorship of top investigators in the fields of gastroenterology and hepatology. The award provides a stipend and opportunities to learn about future training and career options.

Objective

The objective of this award is to stimulate interest in digestive disease research among applicants from groups underrepresented in biomedical research through mentored research experience with a goal of encouraging promising students to pursue careers in science, medicine, and specifically basic and/or clinical digestive disease research to expand the pipeline of investigators from diverse backgrounds.

Applicant eligibility

• Applicants in good academic standing enrolled in undergraduate programs in North America that lead to a bachelor’s degree and who are continuing in the following fall (i.e., no graduating seniors) are eligible to apply.
• Applicants must identify with a group traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research, including:
  • Racial and ethnic groups: African Americans or Blacks, Native Alaskans, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, and those of Latinx or Hispanic origin.
  • Individuals with disabilities.
  • Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, i.e., those meeting two or more of the following criteria:
    • Current or former homeless.
    • Those who were in the foster care system.
    • Those who were eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program for two or more years.
    • First generation college students.
    • Those who were or are currently eligible for Federal Pell grants.
    • Those who received support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.
    • Those who grew up in a U.S. rural area according to the Health Resources and Services Administration or a Low-Income and Health Professional Shortage Area according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
• Applicants may not hold similar salary-support awards from other agencies (e.g., American Liver Foundation, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, NIH).
• This award is not intended to provide salary support for laboratory technicians.
• Past recipients may reapply in subsequent years provided the required scientific progress report and any follow-up surveys were submitted following the previous funded project and other eligibility requirements are still met.

Application requirements

• Applicants must identify, contact and secure support from a research mentor. Applicants may choose from one of our participating mentors listed below or apply with faculty mentor you already work with, provided they are an AGA member.
• A letter of support from the mentor is required (limited to two-pages). The letter should:
  • Detail the mentor’s involvement in creating the research proposal, plan for mentoring the applicant, and the portion of the proposed research the applicant will reasonably complete during the fellowship award period.
  • Indicate explicitly that the mentor’s institution will allow an un-enrolled undergraduate to perform research within their laboratory.
  • Describe what existing institutional activities or programs the applicant may benefit from during the research period, in particular those oriented towards undergraduates and/or underrepresented groups.
  • Briefly justify the need for the $1,000 in mentor lab support or indicate that this funding is unnecessary.
• An abstract and proposal (limited to two pages) describing the research you will perform during the award period. The proposal should include sections for background information, specific aims and a research plan.
• A letter of reference from a current or past professor speaking to the applicant’s qualifications and engagement. Applicants will supply the contact information for the referee who will submit their letter directly to AGA. One individual cannot serve as both the applicant’s mentor and reference.
• A personal statement (limited to one-page) describing:
  • Your career goals.
  • Your research background, if any. Previous research experience is not a requirement for consideration.
  • Your interest in digestive disease research.
  • How the SURF award will benefit your academic and career goals.
  • Your involvement in creating the research proposal.
• Transcript(s), unofficial are acceptable provided all courses and credits are clearly legible.