Sir Alexander Fleming Scholars Program

Position Overview

This paid, 8-week program pairs students with OMRF scientists on a real research project. You don't need prior research experience to apply, just curiosity and a genuine interest in seeing what life as a researcher is really like. Along the way, you'll build real skills and contribute to research aimed at advancing treatments for human disease.

For more than 70 years, OMRF has helped shape Oklahoma's next generation of scientists through its summer research program. Apply for Summer 2027 and be a part of what comes next!

Program Perks

Scholars receive a variety of benefits, including:

• Free dormitory housing for all students who live outside of a 40-mile radius from OMRF
• Free breakfast on workdays
• Free 24-hour gym access
• Free parking
• Free outings and cultural experiences

Program Expectations

From June 1 - July 23, 2027, scholars are expected to:

• Maintain communication with program staff
• Attend weekly seminars and participate in occasional social events
• Write an abstract summarizing their research project with guidance from their mentor
• Give a short, formal scientific presentation outlining their research findings

Program Eligibility

To apply for the Fleming Scholar Program, you must:

• Be at least 16 years old
• Be a current high school senior or a graduate from an Oklahoma high school
• Be a high school senior, college freshman, sophomore, or junior at time of application
• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have unrestricted work authorization (e.g., J-2 with Employment Authorization Document). H-4 visa holders are not eligible
• Commit to the full eight-week program, from June 1 to July 23, 2027

Application Materials

All application materials must be submitted by February 1, 2027

• Resume - Your resume should provide a brief overview of your education, employment, volunteer experience, and extracurricular activities. Please keep your resume to two pages or less.

• Personal Statement - In 750 words or less, please provide the following information:

• Your name

• Why science interests you, including a time when you were curious about something you didn't understand and what you did about it

• Why you want to participate in the Fleming Scholar Program

• What excites you about the idea of doing research

• Unofficial Transcripts Transcript requirements vary depending on your grade level:

• Current high school seniors should submit unofficial high school transcripts

• Current college students should submit unofficial high school and college transcripts combined into a single document

• 2-3 Recommendation Letters - One recommendation letter must be from a STEM instructor. Please provide your recommendation letter writers with a copy of the Recommendation Letter Guidelines.

Application Submission Instructions

• Merge your resume and personal statement into a single document
• If you have more than one unofficial transcript, merge them into a single document
• In the application portal, upload your resume and personal statement as one document
• In the Additional Documents section, upload your unofficial transcript(s) as one document
• Recommendation letters must be emailed directly by the letter writers to SummerScholars@omrf.org

If you have questions or need assistance with your application, please email SummerScholars@omrf.org.

Scholar Selection Criteria

Scholar selection is based on many factors, including:

• Coachability and a willingness to grow
• Curiosity about science and an eagerness to learn
• How you demonstrate and communicate your curiosity and enthusiasm for the program
• Recommendation letters that speak to your potential, character, and ability to learn and grow

All application components must be submitted by midnight on February 1, 2027. Incomplete applications or materials received after this date will not be considered. You will receive updates and confirmations via email between the time of your application and February 1, 2027.

We welcome all eligible candidates to apply. OMRF is an Equal Opportunity Employer, considering all qualified applicants without regard to gender, sexual orientation, race, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Work Hours

Generally, Monday Friday, 8:30AM-5:00PM. However, schedules may vary, typically with advanced notice, depending on laboratory experiments/needs and/or special events.