Request for SD INBRE SRP Applications (RFA)

2026-27 Academic Year (AY-SRP)

September 1, 2026 - May 15, 2027

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. Anticipated year of graduation 

Since this research experience is restricted to the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters, students must be enrolled in classes during the semester they plan to participate in the AY-SRP. 

Students graduating in or before Spring 2028 will have a higher priority than those graduating later. 

 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 2026-27.  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

Students should provide their estimated number of hours per week in the lab.  Rate of pay is $15.18 per hour up to a maximum of 400 hours over the academic year (200 hours per semester).

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.  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 2027-28 (all steps happen on or before indicated date):

April 1, 2026: Application posted in RFx.

June 30, 2026: Applications due in RFx.

August 14, 2026: Notification of acceptance.

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