Request for SD INBRE SRP Applications (RFA)

2025-26 Academic Year (AY-SRP)

September 1, 2025 - May 15, 2026

SD INBRE student eligibility: Students must be a US citizen, a non-citizen national, or lawfully admitted for permanent residency. Students at the following institutions that meet these criteria are eligible to apply.

1. Augustana University (AU)
2. Black Hills State University (BHSU)
3. Dakota State University (DSU)
4. Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU)
5. Mount Marty University (MMU)
6. Northern State University (NSU)
7. Oglala Lakota College (OLC)
8. Sisseton Wahpeton College (SWC)
9. South Dakota Mines (SDM)
10. University of Sioux Falls (USF)

Application format: Student applicants will submit applications that include the following.

1. Personal Statement (1-2 paragraphs)

Description of the applicant’s interest in either a research career or a biomedical profession.  The applicant should detail how past, present, and future research experience will help them achieve and advance their career goals. 

Applicants are invited to meet with potential mentors whose research they find most interesting.  A description of the meeting with potential mentors should be included in the personal statement along with a description of how their role on a research team aligns with their interests and career goals.  A link to the SD INBRE mentors is included below.

 https://www.sdbrin.org/undergraduate/research-mentors          

2. Location for AY-SRP opportunity, including mentor

Please indicate the institution where research will be performed and the mentor that will oversee the research.  If more than one mentor is being considered, please list the names of up to 3 mentors for the AY-SRP opportunity. 

3. Year in school

Since this research experience is restricted to the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters, students must be enrolled in classes during the semester they plan to participate in the AY-SRP. 

Rising juniors (rising third-year students) and rising seniors (rising fourth-year students) have a higher priority than rising sophomores (rising second-year students).

 4.  GPA

 A GPA above 3.0 is required for participation in the SRP.

 5.   Mentor letter

All applications for the AY-SRP must include a letter from the potential mentor(s) indicating both availability and interest in hosting an AY-SRP fellow in 2025-26.  If a letter from a specific mentor is not provided, that will indicate that the mentor is not interested in hosting the AY-SRP applicant.            

6.  Compensation for Research

AY-SRP students can work for either salary support or course credit.  Students should indicate the preferred compensation mechanism and an estimated number of hours per week in the lab.

Notification of SRP Fellowship Award: An e-mail from the Chairperson of the SD INBRE SRP Approval Committee will be used to inform applicants of the committee decision.  Applicants that are not selected are encouraged to meet with their campus liaison to determine ways to improve their application for future submission cycles.   

Requirements of SD INBRE SRP Fellows: 

eRA Commons ID: Fellows must acquire an eRA Commons ID, log into eRA Commons, and complete the user profile information to activate their eRA Commons account.

Presentations: Recipients of an AY-SRP fellowship are required to present their research (can be an in-progress presentation) at the SD INBRE Winter Research Conference that is held in January (2026 or 2027).  Additional presentations are encouraged, especially those presentations that can be made at Regional (Central Region) and National (NISBRE) meetings that are organized by the IDeA program.

Training: Recipients will complete training in Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) and basic laboratory safety training, as well as any training that is specific to their host lab, host institution, and fellowship program.

AY-SRP Application timeline for 2025-26 (all steps happen on or before indicated date):

April 1, 2025: Application posted in RFx.

June 30, 2025: Applications due in RFx.

July 15, 2025: Application reviews due and initial ranks determined (Levels 1 and 2).  

July 30, 2025: SRP Approval Committee meets to determine final rank list (Level 3).

August 7, 2025: Administrative Core makes budget recommendations for 2025-26 (Level 4).

Please direct any questions regarding eligibility and applications to:

Victor C. Huber, PhD

SD INBRE PD/PI

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, SD

E-mail: victor.huber@usd.edu