Overview of Programs
As part of its mission to train the next generation of aging-science researchers, the Buck offers three programs for undergraduate students.
- The SPARC Program enables recent college graduates to take a gap-year to gain Alzheimer’s research experience.
- The Buck Postbaccalaureate Research Program is a second option for recent graduates that provides one year of research experience in preparation for advanced degree programs or the biotech industry.
- The Summer Scholars Program provides summer research opportunities.
Training for each program emphasizes communication skills and includes personalized career development.
Scroll down to learn more about each program and apply.
Virtual Information Sessions
Interested in learning more about the Buck’s postbaccalaureate and undergraduate summer research programs? Join us for a one-hour Zoom informational session to learn more about the programs, eligibility requirements, application process, and research opportunities.
Sessions will be held:
- Tuesday, November 3, 2026 | 4:30–5:30 p.m. PT
- Tuesday, December 8, 2026 | 4:30–5:30 p.m. PT
https://buckinstitute.zoom.us/j/87622293432
Meeting ID: 876 2229 3432
SPARC Postbaccalaureate Program
Support and Preparation for an Alzheimer’s Research Career (SPARC)
The Support and Preparation for an Alzheimer’s Research Career (SPARC) Program offers recent college graduates the opportunity to investigate Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias through an interdisciplinary approach. Rather than studying individual diseases in isolation, researchers at the Buck Institute examine how common biological processes associated with aging contribute to the development of chronic age-related diseases. This discipline, known as Geroscience, explores the intersection between the biology of aging and age-related disease, including a set of shared biological processes known as the “hallmarks of aging.” As part of its overall mission, the Buck Institute applies the concept of geroscience to the study of Alzheimer’s disease, with the goal of accelerating the discovery of novel approaches to prevention, treatment, and care for people currently facing these conditions.
The SPARC Program is designed to offer recent college and university graduates the opportunity to participate in a one-year immersive program before continuing their research career or pursuing a graduate degree. Program participants will have the opportunity to improve their critical thinking and scientific communication skills within the context of an Alzheimer’s-related research project.
During an initial one-month bootcamp, SPARC participants will:
- Learn new technical skills through hands-on curriculum.
- Enhance critical thinking skills through discussion and journal club.
- Improve presentation skills through workshops and talks.
- Meet with prospective host labs through talks and shadowing before being matched.
Over the course of the program, SPARC participants will:
- Learn new technical skills.
- Explain scientific concepts to a non-scientific audience.
- Write a simple grant proposal.
- Give a formal research presentation to scientists.
The program starts on August 30, 2027.
- The duration of the program is 1 year.
- The position is salaried with benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and retirement.
- Travel support is provided.
For questions about the application or letters of recommendation, email HRrequests@buckinstitute.org. For questions about the program, email Dr. Gregory Chin at gchin@buckinstitute.org.
Check back for updates
This program is designed for recent college and university graduates. Graduates of the classes of 2025, 2026, and 2027 are eligible to apply to the 2027 SPARC Program.
- Students currently enrolled in a master’s, doctoral, medical, or similar postgraduate degree-granting program are ineligible to apply. Similarly, any applicant who has already earned a postgraduate degree is ineligible to apply.
- Participation is limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
Qualifications
- Applicants should have some biological or computational research experience.
- GPA 2.0 or higher
- There are no specific major requirements. Students of any major may apply, provided they have relevant prior biological or computational research experience.
- Admissions for the 2027 SPARC Program will open on November 2, 2026.
- Applications will be due at 12 pm PST on January 19, 2027.
- Finalists will be contacted by April 16, 2027.
Buck Postbaccalaureate Research Program
The Buck Postbaccalaureate Research Program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to investigate insights into the critical molecular and biological drivers of aging as well as translation of that research into new therapies which will improve healthspan. Postbaccalaureate Researchers will conduct biomedical research to combat diseases of aging, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Each Postbaccalaureate Researcher will conduct a research project under the guidance of a scientific mentor. The Program emphasizes both laboratory and communication skills training to develop well-rounded future scientists, healthcare professionals, and policy makers.
The Postbaccalaureate Research Program is designed to offer recent college and university graduates the opportunity to participate in a one-year immersive program before continuing their research career or pursuing a graduate degree. Participants in the program will have the opportunity to improve their laboratory, critical thinking, and scientific communication skills within the context of a research project. Other program highlights include the ability for international students to participate and a flexible schedule for interviews.
Over the course of the program, Postbaccalaureate Researchers will:
- Learn new technical skills.
- Explain scientific concepts to a non-scientific audience.
- Write a simple grant proposal.
- Give a formal research presentation to scientists.
The program has a flexible start date between May and August 2027
- The duration of the program is 1 year.
- The position is salaried with benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and retirement.
- Travel support is provided.
For questions about the application or letters of recommendation, email HRrequests@buckinstitute.org. For questions about the program, email Dr. Gregory Chin at gchin@buckinstitute.org.
Check back for updates
This program is designed for recent college and university graduates, Graduates of the classes of 2025, 2026, and 2027 are eligible to apply to the 2027 Postbaccalaureate Research Program.
- Students currently enrolled in a master’s, doctoral, medical, or similar postgraduate degree-granting program are ineligible to apply. Similarly, any applicant who has already earned a postgraduate degree is ineligible to apply.
- Participants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. through citizenship, permanent residency, or Optional Practical Training (OPT). Other forms of work authorization will be considered on a case-by-case basis. International students who do not already have an applicable path to U.S. work authorization are not eligible for the program.
We strongly encourage students planning to use OPT to consult their campus advisor before applying to ensure sufficient time to obtain work authorization and avoid a delayed start date if an offer is made.
Qualifications
- Applicants should have some biological or computational research experience.
- GPA 2.0 or higher.
- There are no specific major requirements. Students of any major may apply, provided they have relevant prior biological or computational research experience.
Please review the research project descriptions for more specific experience desired by each lab.
- Admissions for the 2027 Postbaccalaureate Research Program will open on November 2, 2026.
- Applications will be due at 12 pm PST on January 19, 2027.
- Finalists will be contacted by April 30, 2027.
Buck Summer Scholars Program
The Buck Summer Scholars Program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to investigate insights into the critical molecular and biological drivers of aging as well as translation of that research into new therapies which will improve healthspan. Summer Scholar participants will conduct biomedical research to combat diseases of aging, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Each Summer Scholar conducts a research project under the guidance of a scientific mentor. The Program emphasizes both laboratory and communication skills training to develop well-rounded future scientists, healthcare professionals, and policy makers.
We regret that the Summer Scholars Program will not be offered in 2026. We are exploring new funding opportunities for 2027. You can check again in fall of 2026 for updates.
The Buck Summer Scholars Program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to investigate the critical molecular and biological drivers of aging and the translation of that research into new therapies to improve healthspan. Summer Scholars will conduct biomedical research to combat diseases of aging, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Each Summer Scholar will conduct a research project under the guidance of a scientific mentor. The program emphasizes laboratory and communication skills training to develop well-rounded future scientists, healthcare professionals, and policymakers.
The Summer Scholars Program is unique among internship programs in its emphasis on scientific communication, laboratory skills, and critical thinking. Throughout the summer, participants complete communication assignments that simulate research explanations scientists often must provide to other scientists, financial supporters, and the public. The communication training culminates in presentations of their work to peers, mentors, and other scientists. Other program highlights include flexible start dates and eligibility for international students and graduating seniors.
Over the course of the program, interns will:
- Learn new technical skills.
- Explain scientific concepts to a non-scientific audience.
- Write a scientific report.
- Give a formal research presentation to scientists.
The program can accommodate both semester and quarter system students. As such, the start date will vary between early and mid-June.
- Internships will last 10 weeks.
- Stipend rates will be based on levels used by government agencies, such as the NIH and NSF.
- The Buck Institute will be able to provide housing for the duration of the internship.
- Travel support will be provided.
Check back for updates
This program is designed for undergraduate students. Only students who are currently pursuing an undergraduate degree or students who received their degree during the fall, winter, or spring terms of the 2026-2027 academic year are eligible for the 2027 Buck Summer Scholars Program.
- There are no restrictions on class standing. Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and fifth-year seniors are all eligible to apply.
- Students currently enrolled in a master’s, doctoral, medical, or similar postgraduate degree-granting program are ineligible to apply. Any applicant who has already earned a degree prior to the 2026-2027 academic year is also ineligible. Current postbaccalaureate trainees are also ineligible to apply.
- Students enrolled in a dual undergrad/grad program are eligible provided no degree has been conferred by the start of the internship.
- The applicant must be enrolled at a college or university in the United States. Special circumstances, such as established exchange programs, will be considered on case-by-case basis. U.S. citizens studying abroad also are eligible to apply.
Applicants must be eligible to receive a stipend. International students who are studying abroad in the U.S. will need to participate in the Summer Scholars Program through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for off-campus employment. Unfortunately, due to the length of time required for approval, Optional Practical Training (OPT) for off-campus employment cannot be accepted. You can learn more about CPT requirements here.
Qualifications
- Applicants should have some biological or computational research experience.
- GPA 2.0 or higher.
- There are no specific major requirements. Students of any major may apply, provided they have relevant prior biological or computational research experience.
- Please review the research project descriptions for more specific experience desired by each lab.
- Admissions for the 2027 Summer Scholars Program will open on November 2, 2026.
- Applications will be due by 12 pm PST on February 1, 2027.
- Finalists will be contacted by April 30, 2027.
For questions about the application or letters of recommendation, email HRrequests@buckinstitute.org. If you have any questions about the program, please email Dr. Gregory Chin at gchin@buckinstitute.org.
Front row (L to R): Molly Goldwasser, Ines Drissi Qeytoni, Angela Lee
2024 Summer Scholars: Back row (L to R): Seth Ashby, Anshuman Das, Sophia Skubic, Daniel Allred, Sriram Selvakumaran
Front row (L to R): Alice Zhang, Jess Liu, Anna Buretta
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2023 Summer Scholars: Back Row: Debra Buggs, Sydney Becker, Kaya Ceyhan, Owen Donayre, Will Nickols
Front Row: Anna Girtle, Ronak Jaisalmeria, Olivia Wilson, Lea Baskin Monk
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2022 Buck Summer Scholars: Back Row: Zhixin Zhang, Seth Talyanski, Varun Sridhar, Brennen Keuchel, Grace Qi
Front Row: Kaitlyn Hung, Alexa Schlotter, Caroline Voorhis, Theresa Fitzgibbon
Gregory Chin, PhD
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