Program Description

The Summer Genetics Institute (SGI) is a tuition-free one-month intensive research training program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. Sponsored by the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), the SGI provides participants with a foundation in molecular genetics appropriate for use in research and clinical practice. The program seeks to increase the research capability among graduate students and faculty and to develop and expand clinical practice in genetics among clinicians. The SGI features lectures and hands-on laboratory training. Last year's class completed 50 lectures and 10 lab sessions. On completion of the program, participants receive eight hours of graduate-level college credit.

Over 425 SGI graduates are making a difference in communities across the country -- building programs of nursing research in genetics; disseminating the results of genetics-related research in peer-reviewed scientific publications and at scientific conferences; and integrating genetics content in nursing school curricula and practice.

SGI Program Objectives

Participants in the SGI will increase their knowledge of molecular genetics for use in research, teaching, and clinical practice. Specifically, they will be able to:

• Use molecular genetics methods in biobehavioral research in a laboratory setting
• Analyze strategies used for genomic-based therapies and describe trends in the molecular therapeutics
• Identify the strengths, weaknesses, and applications of genetic tests
• Examine the ethical and legal issues related to genetic testing and genetic counseling and their implications for practice and research

Download the SGI Flyer

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Who Should Attend?

Nursing graduate students, faculty, and clinicians who are citizens or permanent U.S. residents may apply. Applicants should demonstrate potential for highly productive research or a clinical career. Applications will be evaluated based on the following: academic performance (especially in science courses), research experience, publications, recommendation letters (2), and a personal statement.

Please note: Although a GRE score is not required to apply to the SGI, all applicants must submit an up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV). Your CV should list degrees including university and date graduated and highlight research and work experience, publications, and scientific awards and honors. 

Note: Some files listed here are PDFs, requiring Acrobat Reader to view. Acrobat Reader can be downloaded here.

We encourage you to download and distribute our SGI brochure and flyer.

Logistics

Although the SGI program is provided by the NINR at no cost, participants must make and pay for their own travel and housing arrangements and pay the costs of housing, food, and transportation for the duration of the program. Please see Housing and Transportation Resources (below) for links to resources to help participants plan their stay in the Bethesda NIH campus area.

Accommodations

We will update this site when more information becomes available.

Applying to SGI 2020

Important Application Instructions

NINR’s SGI program uses the same application system as the NIH Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research. This application system is a portal for the Summer Internship Program as well as several specialized NIH Summer Subprograms. As such, some of the information for the Summer Internship Program (SIP), such as program logistics or eligibility, does not apply to SGI. As you complete the application, please remember the following:

For Question #1, the Personal Information – Enrollment section, please choose "Yes" to indicate that you are currently enrolled in an accredited institution and "Yes" to indicate that the institution is in the United States. Selecting “Yes” for both enrollment questions will allow you to submit your application. Please follow these directions even if you are a faculty member. 

For Question #1, the Personal Information section, please choose "Bethesda, MD and the surrounding area" from the Locations list. SGI is only offered in Bethesda, Maryland.

For Question #8 “Preferred Institute/Center (IC),” please select "National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)" from the drop-down list.

For Question #9 “SIP Subprogram Selection,” please add “NINR-SGI” as your selected subprogram. If you do not select SGI, then your application will not be considered for SGI and will instead be considered for the general Summer Internship Program. The SGI is an “exclusive” program, meaning that you can only apply to SGI and not other summer programs. A note on the “Release Date”: Even though a release date is published for SGI, these applications are never released to the general pool of the Summer Internship Program. Your application will not be considered for other summer programs; it will only be considered for SGI.

Required Applications Materials

• an up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV)
• transcript(s)
• a personal statement
• two recommendation letters

Please note: A GRE score is not required for the SGI. Applications submitted without an up-to-date CV will not be considered complete. Your CV should list degrees including university and date graduated and highlight research and work experience, publications, and scientific awards and honors.

Questions?

Please see our SGI Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
For questions not answered by our SGI FAQ, send an email with "SGI" in the subject line to
NINRIRPTraining@mail.nih.gov or contact:

Pamela Tamez, Ph.D., Training Director
NINR Division of Intramural Research
1 Cloister Court
Bldg 60, Rm. 268, MSC 4733
Bethesda, MD 20892-4733
301-451-5895
pamela.tamez@nih.gov