About SMARTMIND
Program Overview
The SMARTMIND program will provide a cohort of summer participants with a high quality experience that combines education, novel research in state-of-the-art facilities, training in bioethics, one-on-one and group mentoring, and training in other relevant professional skills.
Students have an opportunity to choose in their application form the project that they would like to work on and the laboratory they are interested in joining. These projects will provide a meaningful exposure to research methodology in neuroscience with a strong emphasis in drug addiction studies.
The major emphasis of this program is the research itself and participants will be integrated into the research groups of individual faculty mentors. Each participant will be guided directly by a different member of the Neuroscience Faculty Team.
The SMARTMIND program has a unifying theme; participants share common research goals as well as goals for academic and professional development. Consequently, SMARTMIND participants will meet frequently as a group for discussions, training, formal presentations, workshops and seminars. At the end of the program students will present the results of their summer efforts.
Program Dates
May 19 - August 2, 2025 (11 weeks)
*Visiting students from outside the El Paso area must arrive at least two days in advance of the program start date.
Compensation and Benefits
- Approximately $4,400 for 11 weeks
- Fully furnished apartments consisting of 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, kitchen and living area. Apartments include bed linens, high speed Internet, basic cable package, electricity, gas, water, and refrigerated air.*
- Participants are expected to support their own daily expenses for food, toiletries, transportation, recreation, etc.
- Travel reimbursement of up to $700*
* Provided on an as needed basis for participants from outside the El Paso area only
Program Expectations
- Reside on campus during the program (out-of-town undergraduates only)
- Work 40 hours per week
- Actively participate in a research program
- Complete all safety and laboratory training requirements
- Attend additional workshops and seminars
- Present project data at the end-of-summer symposium
