STAR Program

“I absolutely LOVED this program. It was better than I could even imagine. I learned so many new lab techniques and this cemented my goal of a career in research.” - STAR participant

Summer 2026 Session Dates | June 1 - July 31

Overview

The mission of the STAR program (Student  Training  And Research) is to serve as a recruiting mechanism and to provide outstanding hands-on research opportunities for undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing a research PhD degree in biomedical sciences, nursing or biostatistics at Augusta University. STAR participants engage in research in a supportive environment under the guidance of an Augusta University faculty member and their research team. This level of experiential training provides participants with excellent preparation, relevant knowledge, and practical skills needed to pursue a career in research.

Workshops and Professional Development

"I loved the workshops and how tight knit our community felt." - STAR participant 

STARs attend workshops designed to introduce them to the exciting research areas and state-of-the-art techniques available at Augusta University. Workshops showcase interdisciplinary, collaborative and team science approaches.  Additional activities provide opportunities for networking, professional development, and guidance on applying to a PhD program. The program ends with a poster session to showcase the research accomplishments of the STARs. 

Stipend

STARs will receive a stipend of $4,500 (before taxes) for their full participation in the summer session.  STARs are responsible for travel, meals, housing, and other personal expenses. 

Housing

Limited on-campus housing is available for the Summer 2026 session. STAR participants who choose to live on-campus will receive a $1000 subsidy towards on-campus housing expenses.