Ted R. Lilley CURE Program

Oregon students from underserved backgrounds who want a real lab summer and need it to pay. Preference goes to Portland Metro public school students who still have two or more years of high school left, so sophomores are encouraged.

• High school sophomore, junior, or senior at an Oregon school
• At least 16 years old when the program begins
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• At least one lab science class completed, preferably biology
• Meets the NIH definition of a socially or economically disadvantaged background
• Demonstrated interest in research
• Preference for students with two or more years remaining and for Portland Metro area public school students

• Eight weeks, roughly late June through mid-August
• $4,000 stipend, about $12.50 an hour
• A TriMet transit pass for the program
• Up to 40 hours a week in a Knight Cancer Institute faculty lab, including seminars
• Direct mentorship from OHSU research faculty

• List of biology and chemistry courses you have taken
• High school transcript; unofficial PDF is accepted, official required if selected
• Resume in PDF or Word format
• Essay covering your career goals, research interests, and why you want this program
• Two references with letters of recommendation, one of which must come from a science teacher or research mentor

• Ask your science teacher for the recommendation early in the fall. One of your two letters must come from a science teacher or research mentor, so that person is not optional.
• In the essay, connect a specific experience to why cancer research matters to you. Reviewers read many general statements about helping people.
• If you are a sophomore, apply. Preference goes to students with two or more years left, which works in your favor.
• Build a simple resume even if you have never had a job. List classes, clubs, family responsibilities, and any part-time work.
• Be honest and complete on the disadvantaged background section. It is part of the eligibility criteria, not a tiebreaker.

Applicants are notified by the end of February. Questions go to cureinternship@ohsu.edu or 971-271-4811. OHSU also runs the Knight Scholars Program, a separate tiered pathway for Oregon students including rural communities.