Request for SD INBRE SRP Applications (RFA)

Summer (S-SRP) 2026

May 22, 2026- August 31, 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 (2 page limit)

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 strongly encouraged to meet potential mentors whose research they find most interesting.  A description of the meeting with potential mentors should be included in the personal statement.  In addition, a description of their role in the research team of all of their selected mentors, and how it aligns with their interests and career goals, should be included.  A link to the SD INBRE mentors is included below.

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

One opportunity for this meeting is through attendance at the January Networking Meeting.  This meeting provides an opportunity to learn more about the research opportunities available across SD INBRE.  

2. Location for S-SRP opportunity, including mentor (3 choices)

Please indicate the institution where research will be performed and the mentors that have been selected to oversee the research.  Students are strongly encouraged to select at least one faculty member away from their home institution.  Please list the names of 3 mentors for the S-SRP opportunity.

3. Year in school

Since this research experience is restricted to the Summer of 2026, S-SRP students must be planning to enroll in undergraduate classes in the Fall semester of 2026.  Students that have received their undergraduate degrees are not eligible for the S-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 S-SRP must include a letter from one potential mentor indicating both availability and interest in hosting an S-SRP fellow in 2026.       

6.  Compensation for Research

S-SRP students will receive $6,075 in salary support for a 10-week summer research experience with a 40 hour per week workload expectation. 

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 S-SRP fellowship must present at the Summer Research Convocation that is held at the end of the summer research experience (late July/early August).  Additional presentations are encouraged, especially those presentations that can be made at Regional (Central) 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.

S-SRP Application timeline for 2026 (all steps happen on or before indicated date):

November 12, 2025: Application posted in RFx.

February 14, 2026: Applications due in RFx.

March 14, 2026: Application reviews due and initial ranks determined (Levels 1 and 2).  

March 25, 2026: SRP Approval Committee meets to determine final rank list (Level 3).

April 1, 2026: Administrative Core makes budget recommendations (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