Program Overview

Program Overview

The MCW Cardiovascular Research Center offers paid mentored 10-week full-time summer experiences in cardiovascular research in our research laboratories. The Advancing Student Potential for Inclusion with Research Experiences (ASPIRE) Program is supported by a federal grant from the NHLBI. This program provides summer experiences in cardiovascular research and STEMM/healthcare career preparation for up to 13 undergraduate students each summer.

About the ASPIRE Program

Important ASPIRE Program Dates

• Application Deadline: February 1, 2026
• Applications Open: November 1st for Summer 2026
• Program Dates: May 27 July 31, 2026 (housing move-in date is May 26; housing move-out date is August 1 by noon)

Location

The experience will be held in person at the Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee Campus: 8701 Watertown Plank Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53226

Application Requirements

• Application Deadline: February 1, 2026
• Two letters of recommendations from current/former instructors or advisors
• Official transcript
• Finalists must attend virtual interview
• Program acceptance is not made on any single metric; applications are reviewed holistically

Program Benefits

• Compensation of $6,000
• Free housing provided for those outside of the metro Milwaukee area
• Free one-time roundtrip airfare to/from Milwaukee airport to allow students who are located more than four hours from Milwaukee (and coming from a location in the United States or its territories) to relocate for the summer to attend the program
• $1,400 stipend for conference-related expenses (travel, lodging, registration) to attend optional scientific conference with faculty mentor

Eligibility

• At least 18 years old by time of program
• Actively-enrolled and must have completed at least one undergraduate year at an accredited U.S. (or U.S. territories) college or university (rising sophomore, junior, or senior; must not have graduated)
• United States citizen or permanent resident
• GPA is considered as a part of a holistic review of each application
• Strong interest in cardiovascular science or medicine