The ASPIRE Research Buddy Program

The ASPIRE Research Buddy Program provides Newcomb-Tulane College students with the valuable research experience needed before medical school. Once selected, students are paired with medical school students and faculty mentors within Tulane Medical School's ASPIRE Program, allowing for a triad mentorship learning experience. Upon completing the program, students will develop an abstract and poster presentation on the research they conducted. Many students continue their research well beyond summer with the connections they made during the program.

The ASPIRE Research Buddy Program is the premier inclusion program within Office of Undergraduate Research. It prioritizes applicants who remain underrepresented in the medical field, those being Black, Hispanic, Vietnamese, as well as first-generation college students—though all undergraduates are encouraged to apply. The inaugural year of this program was funded by a generous gift to Newcomb-Tulane College from Tomi Prvulovic with the intention to enhance undergraduate research.

The program will cover eight weeks of room and board in on-campus, Tulane Housing. For students who wish to stay off-campus, we will offer a flat $3,200 grant to contribute toward their living expenses.

The Value in Participating

Beyond starting a research career early as an undergraduate student, additional benefits include:

  • Training in proper research techniques and laboratory etiquette from actual medical student
  • Firsthand lab experience and an awarded certificate of completion you can add to your resume and discuss in medical school interviews
  • Free on-campus boarding and dining plan during this eight-week-program
  • Regular check-ins with assigned faculty advisors for additional support and guidance
  • Possible Accreditation as a second or third-author on a Tulane Medical School research paper

Requirements and Eligibility

  • You must submit an online application and provide well-written responses to the fellowship short-answer questions:
    • Question 1 (500 words max): Why are you interested in the ASPIRE Research Buddy Program and what do you hope to gain from participating in this program?
    • Question 2 (500 words max): How will participating in the ASPIRE Research Buddy Program help you achieve your personal, educational, and professional goals?
    • Question 3 (250 words max): Tell us about a time that you have to advocate for yourself in an academic setting (e.g., boss, professor, classmate, etc.). What was the conflict and what was the final resolution?
  • No cover letter of letter of recommendation is required.
  • You must be an undergraduate student in good academic standing and conduct.
  • Preference is given to students who remain underrepresented in medicine (URiM)

Summer 2025

Application Timeline

  • Monday, December 2: Application opens
  • Wednesday, February 15: Deadline for submissions
  • Week of March 10: Hold Interviews
  • Monday, March 24: Decisions announced

Program Timeline 

Dates Coming Soon

  • Orientation 
  • (Didactic Session #1)
  • (Didactic Session #2)
  • (Didactic Session #3)
  • (Didactic Session #4)
  • Celebration

Application link

Tulane is an equal opportunity educator and employer;  legally protected demographic criteria such as race, national origin, age, disability, etc. are not relied upon as an eligibility or participation criteria for this program.