REP Neuroscience
Neuroscience is the study of the structure and function of the brain and nervous system. Research in neuroscience allows us to obtain a better understand fundamental mechanisms of behavior, cognition, movement, sensation, neurological diseases and disorders, and much more! The field is rapidly moving forward and constantly evolving, with high demand for the next generation of researchers to bring new, creative ideas to the table. However, we acknowledge that there can be significant barriers that may impact a student's ability to pursue research as an undergraduate. The REP Neuroscience program believes that research should be accessible to all. This program will support undergraduate students both academically and financially to gain hands-on research experience in Berkeley Neuroscience labs.
For Mentees
For the 2024 REP Neuroscience program, UC Berkeley undergraduate students will be chosen from the applicant pool to undergo interviews with labs that suit their research interests. The faculty mentor and graduate student mentor in said lab(s) will have the final decision in whether or not said student can join the lab and undertake a research project. The research project will take place over the August 2024 to May 2025 academic year. During this time period, REP Neuroscience participants will also participate in weekly academic and professional development workshops, ranging from lectures on foundational neuroscience topics to advice on graduate school applications. The REP Neuroscience program begins on August 26, 2024 (start of fall semester) and will end in May with all participants presenting their research projects as a poster at the REP Neuroscience Symposium.
Application Opens: May 1, 2024
Application Deadline: midnight June 30, 2024 for current Berkeley students; July 15 for new transfer students
The goal of this experience is to equip students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, with the skills and experiences to have successful careers in STEM.
Eligibility
Applicants should have minimal or no prior research experience.
A minimum of $3,192 in work study funds available for the fall semester or able to convert loans to work study to meet this amount. In the application, you will have to submit a screenshot of this portal showing you have a minimum of $3,192 still available for work study.
Applicants must meet LAEP eligibility requirements:
Underrepresented undergraduate*
California resident
Enrolled in 6 or more units
Filed a FAFSA or CADAA and have work-study eligibility**
Eligible to work in the U.S., including current DACA holders
*“Underrepresented” students include first-generation college students, low-income students, students who are current or former foster youth, homeless students or those at risk of becoming homeless, students with disabilities, displaced workers, students with dependent children, formerly incarcerated students, undocumented students, students meeting the requirements of AB 540, and veterans.
**If you are unsure if you have work-study eligibility, you should be able to check by logging into the Berkeley Work-Study Management System. If you have other work-study related questions, please visit Berkeley's work-study page, the LAEP FAQ, or contact us.
FAQ
What are the benefits of participating in this program?
Gaining experience with any time of research lab as an undergraduate can open the door for future internships, graduate programs, and job opportunities. The technical skills acquired and the connections built within the Berkeley neuroscience research community are both invaluable to pursuits within academia and beyond. Through our weekly workshops, we also hope to provide mentees with a greater understanding of the graduate application process and improved presentation and communication skills. Additionally, students will receive financial support through work-study, ensuring that your lab time will result in both financial and academic gains.
I'm a freshman, should I apply?
We discourage freshman from applying as we believe coursework in the first few years of your degree will allow you to narrow your neuroscience interests and write a stronger application.
I'm a sophomore/junior, should I apply?
Absolutely! Sophomores and juniors should absolutely apply, since we want you to have the option to stay in the lab for longer, even after the REP Neuro program ends.
I'm a transfer student, should I apply?
Yes! We review all applicants holistically and are more than happy to host a transfer student in a lab!
What are the responsibilities of a REP Neuroscience Participant?
As a REP Neuroscience Participant, you will have two main responsibilities. Your first responsibility is towards your lab, and your exact duties will be defined between you and your laboratory mentor. However, general duties will include responsible lab conduct and following through with commitments regarding the project. The second responsibility will be to partake in the weekly REP workshops that will be scheduled in advance of the program start date. Roughly, we expect research to take up about 10 hours per week and the workshops will be 2 hours per week.
How do I apply and what documents will I need?
Apply here! Be ready to fill out some basic information about yourself, including a screenshot of your eligibility for work-study with sufficient funds. Also plan to provide your transcript (unofficial or official) from current and previous institutions, a resume/CV or select work experience, three project preferences, and responses to four essay prompts.
When can I submit my application?
The application will be open starting May 1st, ending midnight on June 15th, 2025.
How will you choose participants from the application pool?
As we are working to lower barriers to obtaining research experience as an undergraduate, we aim to review applications holistically. We consider past work experience and volunteering, scientific or otherwise, as well as coursework relevant to your projects of interest.
When will I hear back after application submission?
Currently, we are aiming to select our finalists for interviews by July 15th, and interviews will occur between that date and August 1st. We plan to have our final mentor/mentee matches by August 5th, 2025. This will be followed by the hiring process and any online trainings required by the lab.
What can I expect from the interviews?
We will offer five time slots to you for one of your lab preferences between July 15th and August 1st. You will be able to select the time(s) you are able to meet with the potential mentor or indicate that you need an alternative time. Interviews will last for 30 minutes.
Can I choose which research lab to be in?
You can select 3 labs/projects preferences on the application. We do our best to match you with the lab in which we think you and your mentor will be the most successful and fulfilled.
How are project topics chosen?
The project topics come from Berkeley Neuroscience labs that want undergraduate students to join their research teams. These projects can be off-shoots of a current graduate student/post-doctoral scholar's project, or they can be a stand-alone project for the REP student!
For Mentors
Mentor application deadline: May 15th
Apply here!
Starting this year, REP Neuroscience will be partnering with Getting into Graduate school (GiGs) to provide financial support for graduate student/post-doc mentors ($500 / semester of participation). Additionally, each mentor/mentee pair will receive $75 for the semester to be used for coffee/boba/lunch funds throughout the semester to promote meeting outside of lab. As this program aims to provide mentorship for underrepresented students, mentors will need to:
Complete one DEI training
Be available for planned social/celebratory community activities
Support the mentee in research/school
Mentor Roles
Graduate student/Postdoc Mentor (variable hours / week for mentorship depending on specific project, 10 hours / semester for training/community events)
"Primary" mentor for REP student
Provides appropriate instruction to facilitate completion of project and hitting program checkpoints
Faculty Mentor (1 hour / month)
Meets with REP student once a month to discuss progress on projects and answer any questions students may have
Participating Labs
Each Summer before Fall application season, we will contact labs in the HWNI/Neuroscience Department to recruit mentors/projects for the upcoming REP cohort. Participating labs should have bandwidth for one more undergraduate student, with a graduate student, post-doc, or faculty member willing to meet with the REP student weekly to help them in their research project.
Labs will make clear the requirements they have for students, including completed course work and hours of availability. Not all labs who submit a project will be matched with students, as we will be selective with matching students to ensure the best outcomes for both students and labs.
Labs can submit possible research projects for REP participants here.
FAQ
REP Mentor Info Session Slides
Who is eligible to become a mentor in the REP program?
Graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members within HWNI who are interested in guiding and supporting underrepresented students in their research journey are encouraged to become mentors. Experience in mentoring, a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and active engagement in neuroscience research are essential.
What does mentorship within the REP program involve?
Mentors guide students through the research process, from conceptualization to presentation. This includes assisting with research design, execution, analysis, and preparation for a poster session. Mentors also participate in weekly meetings with their mentee and the program cohort to discuss progress and exchange ideas.
What is the time commitment for mentors in the REP program?
Mentors should expect to commit approximately 1-2 hours weekly for direct meetings with their mentee, plus additional time for preparatory work and attendance at cohort meetings and the end-of-semester poster session. The exact commitment may vary over the semester; for instance, students may need more guidance as they learn laboratory techniques for a different project.
How are mentors and mentees matched in the REP program?
Matches are based on mutual research interests, mentor expertise, and the academic and professional goals of the students. Input from both mentors and mentees is considered to ensure productive and supportive research partnerships.
What are the benefits of mentoring in the REP program?
Mentors enhance their leadership, communication, and teaching skills, contribute to diversifying the research community, and play a pivotal role in the academic and professional development of underrepresented students. This experience is valuable for personal and professional growth and is recognized within the HWNI community.
How is the success of mentor-mentee relationships evaluated in the REP program?
Success is assessed through feedback from mentors and mentees, achievements of research objectives, and participation in program activities, including the poster session. Program coordinators conduct surveys and facilitate discussions to monitor and support these relationships.
Timeline for Labs
Spring (By May 15, 2024)
Identify primary mentor
Submit requirements for student experience by summer
Submit a 1 paragraph summary of proposed research project or area
Identify any trainings or approvals students will need for lab
Summer (July 15 - August 1)
Review proposed applicant match through interview process
Confirm approval of matched applicant by end of Summer Semester
Fall (August 2024 through May 2025)
(August 2024) Have mentees complete necessary trainings, medical approvals, etc before semester begins
Minimum weekly meeting with mentee
Hands-on mentorship of student through project big picture and methods
Approve outline for poster towards the end of the year
Approve final poster towards the end of the year
Projects
Using preferences from both mentors and mentees submitted through the application, we aim to match students to suitable labs & projects based on their interests and course history. During interviews, we work to ensure that labs/mentors and mentees are suitable and compatible for one another. On the mentee application, please choose up to 3 projects of interest based on the project descriptions provided. To see specific project descriptions and mentee responsibilities for the 2024-2025 application, click here! This year, there will be a total of twelve projects to choose from across different Berkeley Neuroscience labs. We encourage you to apply to any project you are interested in, regardless of your scientific background!
Questions? Please contact us at repneuro@berkeley.edu or via our form!
