To be considered for acceptance to the IBA, students must be admitted to The University of Iowa. An interview with IBA Executive Committee members is usually part of the admissions process.
Accepted students begin the summer before their first year at Iowa.
Two enrichment courses, Introduction to Research Methods and Quantitative Methods for Biological Researchers, have been designed to prepare and enhance verbal skills, research capabilities, analytical and quantitative reasoning, and an understanding of mathematical concepts and models used in biology. The majority of the summer program is dedicated to gaining research experience in their mentor's laboratory. IBA mentors are senior faculty members at the UI conducting research in the biosciences. The summer program ends the last week of July.