Summer Research Undergrad Experience (RUE)

Summer Research Undergrad Experience (RUE)

Funding Opportunity Number

PICR-SURA-FY2027-01

Funding Opportunity Title

SUMMER RESEARCH UNDERGRAD EXPERIENCE

Key dates
Announcement	November 2, 2026
Due	January 29, 2027

Administrative Contact

Sara Strasser (sstrasse@purdue.edu)

Funding Opportunity Description

The Purdue Institute for Cancer Research (PICR) provides support for Purdue undergraduate students who wish to undertake a cancer research project during the summer. The project must be conducted in the laboratory of a cancer institute faculty member and must have direct relevance to cancer

The award is for $4,500 and must be matched by $1,500 in funds from the faculty sponsor for a total amount of $6,000. This award is to be paid to the student as a stipend over the 8-week summer period. The faculty sponsor will determine the actual start date and project duration.

To apply, please submit your electronic application by 5 p.m. on the cycle due date. The electronic submission system will not allow applications beyond the deadline. At the submission site, you can enter your Purdue username and password.

Qualifications/Restrictions

Only undergraduate students at Purdue University in good standing may apply. Students must name a faculty sponsor in whose laboratory they will be working. Duplicate funding from other sources (departments, schools or other summer undergraduate research programs) is not allowed. Only one application per faculty member per year is allowed.

Applicant must be a trainee member of the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research.  Membership information and application can be found here.

Cost share

A $1,500 match from the faculty sponsor is required.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards

There will be at least six awards for this cycle.

Award Budget

$6,000 total. $4,500 from PICR with $1,500 match from faculty sponsor.

Award Project Period

2027 summer period in June and July. All funds must be expended by July 31, 2027.

Award Restrictions

This award is only for students performing a cancer research project during the summer.

Award Requirements

Award recipients will be expected to submit a summary of their research project at the end of August. A template of the report will be sent to you and your advisor by the beginning of August.

Required publication acknowledgement

“The authors gratefully acknowledge the Summer Undergrad Research Award and support from the Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research, P30CA023168.” The awardee is required to include the cancer institute logo on their presentations and may contact the administrative contact listed above.

No Cost Extension (NCE)

No cost extensions are not allowed. All funds must be expended by July 31, 2027.

Regulatory

Please note the award is contingent upon obtaining all of the necessary regulatory approvals (e.g., IRB, IACUC, PACUC) or a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) pertaining to the work that has pending approvals.

Award Processing

Awards are processed via PC form in two equal stipend payments over the Summer June 30^th and July 31^st.  PICR Business office will email and/or DocuSign the required forms (PC form, Sub-W9, Banking form) to awardee to be completed and returned.

Reporting

Responding to periodic requests for information on accomplishments and future activities is required. Triage of future applications from the trainee or the faculty mentor may occur if reporting requests are ignored.

Application Guidelines

1. Application Style: The application should be single-spaced, 11 pt Ariel font, with no less than 0.5-inch margins.
2. Required Application Structure:
   1. Title of project – Cover page (Not included in page count)
   2. Resume –
      1. Include all awards, honors, scholarships and activities (such as volunteer or leadership)
   3. Explanation of how this will contribute to your career focus, your career goals, and the cancer focus of your research – No more than ½ page
   4. Summary of the cancer research on which you will be working including specific aims and a brief explanation of methods/approaches – No more than 2 pages.
3. For the electronic submission, the items to upload should include (all combined into 1 file):
   1. Application – 
4. Items collected after submission:
   1. Letter of support from faculty sponsor. Once you submit your electronic application, your advisor will receive an automated email asking for this letter and requirements from Qualifications/Restrictions section above

Review Criteria

1. Student’s qualifications, and interest in a research career
2. Cancer-relevance of the project
3. Research significance methods
4. Impact the award will have on the development of the trainee.

Announcement history and updates

Funding opportunity number	Summary of change
PICR-SURA-FY2027-01	Initiation of announcement