Harvard-Affiliated Hospital Opens Summer Research Program
Brigham and Women’s Hospital is offering its Summer Training in Academic Research and Scholarship (STARS) Program for summer 2026. The prestigious opportunity is designed for undergraduates underrepresented in medicine (URiM), providing hands-on research experience and mentorship from physician-scientists.
The Brigham and Women's Hospital STARS Program is now part of the broader Mass General Brigham "Rising Stars in Science and Medicine Program," a combination of summer research initiatives that have supported over 700 students from underrepresented backgrounds since their inception. The program provides participants with a stipend, housing, and transportation, removing financial barriers for the intensive eight-week experience. This immersive program is designed to bolster the research capabilities of participants, a critical factor for admission into highly competitive medical specialties. According to data from the National Residency Match Program, specialties such as dermatology, orthopedic surgery, and plastic surgery place a high value on research experience from applicants. The focus on URiM students is particularly significant given the persistent lack of diversity in these competitive fields. For instance, dermatology is noted as one of the least diverse medical specialties. Similarly, orthopedic surgery has a low representation of women and underrepresented minorities in its residency programs. In the field of plastic surgery, Black and Hispanic trainees are significantly underrepresented compared to their proportions in the general population and among medical school students. Programs like Rising Stars aim to address these disparities by providing early, mentored research experience, which is a key component for a successful match into these specialties. During the program, students are paired with faculty mentors from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School for hands-on research in basic science, clinical, or translational projects. Beyond the lab, the curriculum includes clinical shadowing opportunities with faculty, professional development workshops focused on medical school admissions and interviewing, and networking events. At the culmination of the eight weeks, students are required to submit a research abstract and present their findings, providing them with tangible experience to include in their medical school applications. The program's vision is to cultivate future scientific leaders and clinicians who will bring their expertise to communities with limited access to healthcare.
