Summer Training in Academic Research for Aspiring Scientists
The Duke Clinical Research Institute's (DCRI) Summer Training in Academic Research Program (STAR) gives undergraduate students a high-quality, hands-on research experience in clinical research methodology and scientific writing. Participants are placed in teams and matched with Duke faculty mentors to work on an original, hypothesis-driven project that begins as a one-page summary and culminates in a complete research paper. A goal of the program is for every participant to qualify for co-authorship on a peer-reviewed manuscript related to their team's project.*
The STAR Program is held at the DCRI in Durham, N.C. Participants receive a stipend to attend, making the program an option even for students who plan to work over the summer break.
* View examples of previous publications by STAR Program participants
Program Structure & Support
Team-Based Learning Environment
Students join research teams and are matched with Duke faculty mentors, working alongside peers throughout the program. Participants who are 18 years or older will also experience clinical medicine firsthand by shadowing a physician on hospital rounds.
Summer Experience
Remote: Complete background reading and team planning in the spring, prior to arriving on campus
- In-Person: June 21–July 23, 2027
- Weeks 1–2: Meet with faculty mentors, refine a research question related to the uses and effects of a particular medication, and conduct a thorough literature review
- Thesis Development: Build out the research question, aims, methods, figures/tables, results, and discussion for the team's project
- Didactics: Tutorials and interactive workshops covering topics including manuscript writing from a medical writer, applied statistics and data analysis, a variety of clinical topics ranging from neonatology, antimicrobial therapy, and pharmacoepidemiology, as well as personal and professional development.
- Research Ethics: A medical ethics seminar on the responsible conduct of research
- Weekly: Meet with faculty mentor to review progress and ensure the scientific validity of the team's work
- Conclusion: Formal team presentation at the end of the in-person program, followed by a written thesis
Program Support
The program is fully funded, providing:
- Stipends ($5,000) to support your time through the summer
- Undergraduate students: $5,000
- High School students: $4,000
- All educational materials and resources
- Clinical shadowing opportunities
- Faculty mentorship throughout the program and beyond
The only costs associated with the program are housing and transportation. Participants are responsible for securing their own room and board.
"This program, without exaggeration, has been life-altering." STAR Program attendee
Application Requirements & Timeline
Application Requirements
- Completed application for college students
- School transcript (an unofficial transcript is acceptable)
- Two letters of recommendation from non-relatives, submitted directly by the letter writer by the application deadline
- Personal statement questions (prompts and responses entered directly within the application).1
The application cycle is not yet open. Please check back in November 2026.
Applications must be received by Jan. 6, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Applications received with a date and time stamp of Jan. 7, 2027, or later will not be considered.
Application Timeline
- Application Period: Nov. 16, 2026-Jan. 6, 2027
- Program Dates: June 21-July 23, 2027
If you have questions about eligibility or the program, contact dukestarprogram@duke.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions may be submitted via email to STAR Program dukestarprogram@duke.edu. We regret that we are unable to respond to phone calls.
Can I apply if I am not 18 years old? Applicants must be 18 years old on or before June 21, 2027.
Can I apply if I am not a US citizen or permanent resident (green card holder)? No, per NIH policy, only US citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply.
Can I submit my transcript after the deadline? No, all requirements must be submitted by the deadline.
Can I submit an unofficial transcript? Yes.
Can I submit my letter of recommendation with my application? No, letters of recommendation must be submitted by the letter writer through the link provided on the website.
When is the deadline to submit a letter of recommendation? Please submit your letters of recommendation by the deadline; otherwise, your application will be incomplete and will not be considered for review.
Is there a prompt that letter writers should follow/answer? No.
Can my letter writer submit their letter of recommendation before I submit my application? Yes
Can I submit my application by email? No, please submit applications online using the link on the website.
Are accepted participants required to stay on campus? No.
Do you give recommendations on where to stay for out-of-state participants? No. Accepted participants are responsible for finding their own housing and transportation.
I did not get accepted in the program but I am really interested in medicine and research, can I join the program even if I don’t get a stipend? No.
Do you have a waitlist? No.
I did not get accepted for this summer. Can I reapply? Yes.
I will be a rising college freshman in the fall. Will I be considered a college participant or a high school participant? You will be considered a college participant.
Is there a cost to apply? No.
What is the time commitment? Participants are required to attend in person from June 21, 2027, to July 23, 2027, Monday-Friday, during business hours.
My parent(s) are Duke alumni; do I get preferential treatment? No, your application will be rated based on your own accomplishments.
1If you use AI to generate any part or any draft of your personal statement, please indicate that on your application.