IDBI-SPUR for 2026 will run 10 weeks - May 26, 2026 through July 31, 2026

Applications for 2026 IDBI-SPUR will open early spring 2026

The IDBI SPUR is a 10-week summer research program, established in summer 2022, in which SLU undergraduates interested in drug discovery and delivery research are matched to IDBI research labs. Therefore, the major educational experience for the students is through the time they spend doing research in the laboratories of IDBI senior members. Faculty mentors provide supervision of fellows in their laboratory. Although students will be trained in techniques specific to each research project, all students will participate in an authentic research experience that will involve them in designing and carrying out experiments, interpreting results, asking questions, developing hypotheses, and seeking answers. 

IDBI-SPUR has six categories to support summer research for undergrads during the 10-week period providing many flexible options for students and faculty: 

1. Full-time paid hands-on wet bench summer research: $15/hr for 40 hours per week for 10 weeks (max $6,000)

2. Part-time paid hands-on wet bench summer research: $15/hr for 20 hours per week for 10 weeks (max $3,000)

3. Part-time hands-on wet bench summer research for academic credit (BIOL 4970-36: Advanced Independent Research)

   • 1 credit: 10 hours/week for 10 weeks

   • 2 credits: 20 hours/week for 10 weeks

   • 3 credits: 30 hours/week for 10 weeks

4. Part-time hands-on wet bench summer research unpaid internships

   • 10 hours/week

   • 20 hours/week

   • 30 hours/week

5. Part-time digital (remote) summer research for academic credit (BIOL 4980-36: Advanced Independent Study)

   • 1 credit: 10 hours/week for 10 weeks

   • 2 credits: 20 hours/week for 10 weeks

   • 3 credits: 30 hours/week for 10 weeks

6. Part-time digital (remote) summer research unpaid internships

   • 10 hours/week

   • 20 hours/week

   • 30 hours/week

No prior experience is required to apply for IDBI-SPUR!!

One of the goals of IDBI-SPUR is to provide SLU undergraduates with authentic research experience, giving them that critical experience often required to obtain summer research fellowships & internships.

In addition to the mentored summer research experience, each IDBI-SPUR Fellow participates in cohort activities over the course of the 10-week program in addition to the IDBI Fall Research Symposium:

1. Beginning of IDBI-SPUR cohort event 1 (May 26, 2026): safety training*, guidance on importance of record keeping, faculty mentor lightning talks, and an ice cream social* (*in-person hands-on wet bench research only).

2. Midpoint of IDBI-SPUR cohort event 2 (June 30, 2026)*: group picnic lunch, games & networking, and a field trip to the Drug Discovery Core, a core facility run by the IDBI that contains shared equipment used for drug discovery, highlighting some of the research projects being aided by the core. (*in-person hands-on wet bench research only).

3. End of IDBI-SPUR cohort event 3 (July 31, 2026): Research Blitz Seminar where each IDBI-SPUR fellow creatively share research in 3 minutes or less and we celebrate the successes of the program.

4. IDBI Fall Research Symposium (September 18, 2026): Annual research symposium that includes an outside Keynote speaker, trainee talks, a vibrant poster session with awards for trainees at all levels (high school, undergraduate, graduate, and postdoc).

IDBI-SPUR Student Eligibility:

• must be a current SLU undergraduate with at least one more semester (fall 2026) in residence at SLU

• must be able to commit to the time commitment for the chosen category for the entire 10 weeks

• half of the available IDBI-SPUR paid part-time fellowships are restricted to Federal Work Study students to be inclusive

IDBI-SPUR Application Components:

• an application form: 2026 IDBI-SPUR Application 

• an up-to-date resume (or CV)

• a statement of purpose indicating how the IDBI-SPUR Fellowship will help you achieve your goals

• a copy of your transcript (unofficial is fine)

• a ranked list of your preferred category of participation in IDBI-SPUR

• a ranked list of your top 5 IDBI-SPUR desired faculty mentors - see list here: IDBI Mentors for 2026

• one letter of recommendation from a SLU STEM (science, engineering, or math) professor

Selection of IDBI-SPUR Fellows:

Applications will be reviewed by a 5-member committee composed of senior members of IDBI. Criteria for selection will include, in no particular order, the applicant’s academic record, strength of statement of purpose, strength of letter of recommendation, and evidence of teamwork and communication skills. Final determinations will be made in consultation with faculty mentors selected by students.