The program is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health which has given a grant to Chicago State to enourage minority students to pursue science majors in college leading to graduate school and focused on a research career in biomedical research. Other parts of this grant enable students to gain tuition scholarships, financial support to do research and opportunities to give papers on undergraduate research results to scientists. Summer research opportunities at various NIH facilities or working on research at Chicago State are possible.
Students can gain tuition scholarships for four years if they maintain an adequate grade point.
The summer program hires students to carry out a group research project in epidemiology on the South side of Chicago and prepares the students for college. The stipend is determined by hours worked and the quality of the work. All participants must submit an application to Chicago State and must take all of the entrance examinations. Students who matriculate at CSU will earn a tuition scholarship that can last for four years if their grade point is maintained. Students must have at least a 17 on the ACT examination to enter Chicago State.