Applying to Penn FERBS
Applications for the 2024-2025 cycle are now closed. Please see below in ‘How to Apply’ for more details for applying for future cohort cycles.
Learn more about the program and hear from one our outstanding current fellows Anisa Robinson HERE
Explore the “Eligibility” section below to see if our program aligns with your academic goals. Consider these prompts to get a head start on a potential application!
Eligibility
The FERBS research fellowship program is open to First Year Penn Students who have an interest in pursuing studies in the biological and related sciences. Students with a passion for STEM/biological sciences and a curiosity in research are highly encouraged to apply. The FERBS program encourages students whose backgrounds, experiences, and resources have resulted in limited opportunities to this type of guided mentorship and access to research.
To be considered eligible for the FERBS fellowship program students must meet the following criteria
-Currently be enrolled, or plan to enroll in course work towards a major in the biological sciences or a related STEM field.
-Have a curiosity and interest in research in the biological and biomedical sciences and a willingness to be trained and work as a research scientist during the academic school year. *Note that previous research experience is not a requirement or used in selection criteria.
-Student whose backgrounds, experiences, and resources have resulted in limited access to and opportunities for this type of guided mentorship are encouraged to apply. Specifically students coming from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and or experienced limits in their access to education.
Students who are interested in obtaining the FERBS fellowship must intend to major in and be enrolled in course work towards one or a combination of the following STEM disciplines:
-Biology
-Computational Biology
-Neuroscience
-Cognitive Sciences
-Biophysics
-Biochemistry
-Chemistry
-Physics
-Mathematics
*FERBS fellows often pursue second majors or minors in concentrations related to and distant from the natural sciences. We encourage all of our fellows to explore course work outside of their core STEM requirements.
How to Apply
Students with a passion for STEM/biological sciences and a curiosity in advanced research are highly encouraged to apply. No prior research knowledge or experience is required.
- In 200 words or less, please indicate what shapes your interests in the biological sciences.
2. Describe which aspects of the FERBS program interest you. How would participation in this fellowship program benefit you while at Penn? What would you bring to the program? (200 words or less)
3. Describe what research in the biological sciences means to you and why are you interested in it. ** Please remember that we do not expect students to have any prior formal research experience(s). (200 words or less)
Steps On How To Apply To FERBS
- Check your eligibility for the FERBS fellowship in the Eligibility section
- Prepare your application, addressing the following prompts with brief paragraph responses:
- Please list which classes you have enrolled in (as of now) for the fall semester. If you are not enrolled in biology please indicate why not.
- Please indicate what shapes your interests in the biological sciences. (200 words or less)
- Describe which aspects of the FERBS program interest you. How would participation in this fellowship program benefit you while at Penn?What would you bring to the program through your unique background and experiences? (300 words or less)
- Describe what research in the biological sciences means to you and why are you interested in it? ** Please be reminded that we do not expect any students to have experience with research, and may have very little idea of what active research is like. (250 words or less)
- Provide one reference (not a reference letter), that we may contact if we need to evaluate a fellows application further. This individual should be able to speak to your character and or academic achievement and or work and training.
- Complete the application and fill out all other personal information. LINK BELOW* Submit in early fall semester.
- For questions regarding eligibility, application materials, or the process of applying and accepting the fellowship please contact Dr. Mechthild Pohlschroder pohlschr@sas.upenn.edu.
FAQ’s From Applicants
Q: Am I eligible to apply to the FERBS program?
A: The FERBS program is focused on training and developing high achieving undergraduates who have a passion for the biological sciences as well as research focused in the biological sciences. All full-time undergraduate students who intend to major in the biological sciences or qualifying STEM fields (see eligibility) can apply. Students whose backgrounds, experiences, and resources have resulted in limited access to and opportunities for this type of guided mentorship are specifically encouraged to apply. Students coming from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and or those that have experienced limits or barriers in their access to educational opportunities are also encouraged to apply.
Q: Do I need previous research experience in order to apply?
A: No. The program is focused on training students who have had limited access or exposure to immersive scientific experiences. Students with previous backgrounds in research or advanced education in the biological research sciences are encouraged to get involved in research through the Center for Undergraduate Research CURF offered at Penn https://curf.upenn.edu/.
Q: How competitive is it to become a FERBS fellow?
A: The FERBS fellowship program offers a four-year structure of support which includes early exposure to research with structured mentorship and training, as well as financial support, career development, and community engagement. Considering the amount of support each fellow receives, the application process can be competitive and each year we have a growing number of applicants.
Q: How can I improve my application and chances of obtaining this fellowship?
A: The most important aspect of the application is transparency and honesty. Throughout each students time at Penn they are developing and exploring their passions in and outside of the classroom. We are looking for fellows who share a passion for biology and biological research, community and education, as well as creating and fostering a more inclusive and diverse STEM field. We encourage all applicants to be honest with their impressions, opinions, and experiences (including have NO experience at all) related to biology and the biological research sciences. We encourage applicants to think critically about their various passions and interests and how that relates to the opportunities within FERBS.
Q: When will I know about the FERBS fellowship?
A: Typically the review and admissions is rolling from the time the link is available. Students may be notified for acceptance or for an interview starting in September of each application cycle. All applicants will be notified by the end of September each cycle.
Q: Do I receive financial support through the fellowship?
A: Yes, FERBS financial support is offered to each fellow, on a yearly basis, and is dependent of each fellow meeting the requirements of the fellowship each year. Prospective fellows can read below in ‘benefits and training’ to learn more about the specific financial benefits. The first year students are guaranteed a paid position in a laboratory where they will intern and work for the school year. Upon meeting the requirements students are offered full-time funding during the summer of their first year to work in their assigned research laboratory for example. Additional financial support for wages, research, conference travel, and leadership roles is also offered.
Q: If I need a work-study or on campus job, but I want to apply to FERBS what should I do?
A: We understand that students need work-study jobs and may and often do have part-time jobs to support themselves. While the FERBS program offers a structure where students will be paid to intern and eventually work in research labs, we do understand that students need to and may be applying and accepting jobs before they are notified of their acceptance into the program. Admission into the FERBS program is not guaranteed and we do not want any student to miss out on a work-study job, so we do encourage students to apply to jobs. **If you are unsure about accepting or continuing an on-campus job or work-study job because of your application/status, please contact us as soon as you apply. We understand that students can not have gaps in working and we will work with you on an individual basis if needed.
Benefits and Training
All FERBS fellows accepted their first year are supported by the program for all four years during their baccalaureate. All funding, benefits, and support are structured based on each year and offered to all fellows meeting fellowship requirements on a yearly basis. Throughout each fellows time at Penn they have continued access and support from the FERBS team, current fellows, and fellowship alumni. We are proud of each of our fellows and all of their extraordinary accomplishments. This program is specifically focused on the training, development, support, and encouragement of all of our fellows.
Here we have detailed the benefits and training that each fellow receives, organized by year. Prospective fellows are encouraged to read this section to understand all of the benefits and opportunities this fellowship offers:
Year 1
-Selected matching and assignment to a research laboratory in the Department of Biology or selected labs in the Perelman School of Medicine. Each student is matched to a participating laboratory and individual mentor, either a PhD student or PostDoctoral fellow. Students will become members of their assigned laboratory and receive guided mentorship, training, and scientific development throughout their time spent working in the lab.
-Engagement and work in a research laboratory for a minimum of 5 hours per week at the FERBS rate. Participation in lab work and training as well as participating in regular meetings with assigned mentor, attendance to group meetings when available, attendance to group presentations and events as available with class schedule are expected. We encourage fellows to stay in a laboratory for multiple years to benefit from long-term engagement in research projects and mentorship.
-Fall and spring semester individual meetings with FERBS directors and/or FERBS graduate/postdoctoral mentor fellows. Meetings are focused on discussing and evaluating course enrollment, wellness and well being at university, adjustments to university academics, assigned research and FERBS participation.
-Attendance to FERBS workshops Fall Semester. Workshops are centered around training and development in STEM, research, professional communication and presentation, primary scientific literature, fellowship applications in STEM, scientific writing.
-Enrollment and completion of Biology 1.0 credit course in spring semester, taught by FERBS director Dr. Mechthild Pohlschroder and reserved for FERBS fellows only. Fellows will engage in topics directly related to conducting, communicating, and translating primary research findings to audiences outside of academia. Students will engage in semester-long projects with various community organizations, focused on topics related to the biological sciences, community health, urban ecology etc.
-Full-time summer research. Fellows are supported to work in their assigned laboratory full-time for a minimum of two months during their first summer. Funding is provided for housing and living stipend, 7,000$ / fellow.
-Participation in FERBS summer research seminar and journal club workshops. FERBS fellows participating in full-time summer research will receive additional training and interaction with their peer fellows through regular meetings. Summer workshops are focused on understanding primary research articles, scientific communication and presentation, as well as data analysis.
Year 2
-Poster presentation of summer/yearly research at a minimum of one research symposium.
-Engagement and work in a research laboratory for a minimum of 5 hours per week at paid rate. This does not have to be the original matched laboratory; we do encourage fellows to stay in a laboratory for multiple years to benefit from long-term engagement in research projects.
-Attendance of workshops centered on development in the biological sciences and STEM fields.
-Minimum two hours weekly engagement in STEM related leadership and or service role paid at a rate of $15/hour.
-Semester meetings with FERBS directors and/or FERBS graduate/postdoctoral mentor fellows.
-Workshops and mentorship directed towards the preparation of Summer Research Program applications, focus on fellowships outside of Penn and international fellowships, resume building, essay writing.
-Completed applications to summer research programs.
Year 3
-Engagement and work in a research laboratory for a minimum of 5 hours per week at the FERBS paid rate. Students may enroll in one of the lab course works for credit, highly encourage the completion of a research thesis.
-Semester meetings with FERBS directors and/or FERBS graduate/postdoctoral mentor fellows.
-Minimum two hours weekly engagement in STEM related leadership and or service role paid at a rate of $15/hour.
-Applications to summer programs. Career development and planning, workshops, professional development.
-Conference scholarship, 1,000$ / fellow
Year 4
-Engagement and work in a research laboratory for a minimum of 5 hours per week at the FERBS paid rate. Students may enroll in one of the lab course works for credit, highly encourage the completion of a research thesis.
-Semester meetings with FERBS directors and/or FERBS graduate/postdoctoral mentor fellows.
-Minimum two hours weekly engagement in STEM related leadership and or service role paid at a rate of $15/hour.
-Applications to summer programs. Career development and planning, workshops, professional development.
-Conference scholarship, 1,000$ / fellow
-Support for honors thesis research, 1,000$ for selected scholars, 500.00$ for supplies