The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a participant in a summer research program in science and biotechnology ­ the Amgen-UROP Scholars Program. UROP is MIT¹s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. The mission of the Amgen-UROP Scholars Program is to provide students with a strong science research experience that may be pivotal in their undergraduate career, cultivate a passion for science, encourage the pursuit of graduate studies in the sciences, and stimulate interest in research and scientific careers.

During the summer 2011 program, MIT hosted 15 visiting scholars who engaged in research under the supervision of MIT¹s foremost faculty and leading researchers. In addition to the visiting scholars, 13 MIT undergraduates participated in the program. Over the past five summers, more than 135 students have conducted research through this program.

We are soliciting applications for visiting students to engage in research as part of the summer 2012 Amgen-UROP Scholars Program. I request your assistance in distributing this announcement to your faculty and encouraging young scholars on your campus to submit an application. While spending a summer in Boston and gaining research experience, your students will be paid a stipend; room, board and transportation to and from Boston will also be covered by their appointment. All students will live on-campus in one of our undergraduate residences. This community of young scholars will share in the excitement of research by participating in a faculty-led seminar series, a poster session and a mid-summer symposium at UCLA (travel, room and board are covered).

MIT is delighted to invite undergraduate students from other colleges and universities to join our research enterprise. We value the knowledge, experience and enthusiasm these young scholars will bring to our campus and appreciate this opportunity to build a relationship with your faculty and campus.

I have attached a brief description of the Amgen-UROP Scholars Program. The URL listed on the document will direct interested faculty and students to a website with additional details, application materials and contact information.

Thank you for sharing this information with your faculty and students. We look forward to receiving applications from your students.

Sincerely yours,

Julie B. Norman,

Senior Associate Dean, Undergraduate Education, Director, Office of Undergraduate Advising and Academic Programming

Email: jbnorman@mit.edu