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< Research Programs and Centers

Summer Science Program

The Summer Science Program at Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock, co-sponsored by the UAMS Department of Pediatrics and Arkansas Children's Research Institute, is intended to provide outstanding rising sophomores through senior-level college students with a deep, focused experience in a health-related research project under the guidance of active pediatric health scientists. Research opportunities include laboratory-based experiences in basic and translational biology, clinical investigation, and community-based research projects. Student scholars will spend eight weeks over the summer primarily engaged in a mentored research project, with additional opportunities to tour hospital units and research facilities and to shadow physicians and researchers during rounds and clinics.

  • Hands-On Research: Work alongside your research mentor(s) and gain experience with the research process, from asking questions and collecting data to analyzing results.
  • Lunch Lectures - Tuesdays and Thursdays: Hear from researchers, scientists, and other professionals while enjoying lunch and learning about different areas of science and research.
  • Professional Development Series: Build skills for college, careers, and future research opportunities through sessions focused on communication, networking, resumes, presentations, and more.
  • UAMS Research Symposium: Share and celebrate undergraduate student research while connecting with scientists and other student researchers from across the state.
  • ACRI Research Symposium: Present your research and learn from other researchers in an exciting research-focused environment here on the ACRI Campus.

Our goal is that you leave the program with new research skills, professional connections, and a better understanding of what it means to be a scientist.

The program is 8 weeks long. Students work 40 hours per week in person and are paid $15 per hour. All students start the program on the same day, in June and are required to be present for the first 3 days for orientation. Mentors will decide specific hours for each lab, not to exceed 40 hours/wk. Due to the short length of the program, extended long vacations are highly discouraged. Applicants are asked to list any dates for unavoidable travel on the application. Students are required to get approval for any vacation plans with their mentors and program coordinator at least two weeks prior to the date(s).

Students will need to secure their own housing accommodations. ACRI has a partnership with a local university for housing. You will submit a housing request separately, upon acceptance into the program.

  • Must be a full-time college student at the sophomore to senior level, not graduating before the 2026-2027 school year.
  • Must provide application, recommendation letter, video interview, and transcript by the requested deadline.
  • Must be a US resident or have a current US visa, as we cannot sponsor visas for this purpose. 

"My time as a summer science intern at Arkansas Children's Hospital was my first time being away from home for an extended period of time and an amazing opportunity for me to get out of my comfort zone. I am so glad I chose to do something different this summer, as the experience became my most impactful one thus far in my pre-med journey. The insight I gained from my research project and clinical exposure gave me a deeper understanding of medicine and research and allowed me to discover new passions. I cannot thank the wonderful doctors and administration enough for their dedication to the program!"

- Kaitlyn Averett, Student 2026

Contact: Amanda Stapleton at stapletona@archildrens.org or 501-364-4008

How to Apply

The 2027 online application will open on October 1, 2026. The application deadline is January 31, 2027.

All interested applicants must complete the online application. The application is found on the Arkansas Children’s Careers page. Please note, all emails from the system will come from Workday. Please check your spam folder and add this email address to your safe sender list after applying.

Please note that, along with your personal information and answering the questions, you will receive an additional email to upload the following documents:

  • Cover Letter: Current for why you want to do this position and why it's of interest to you.
  • Resume: A current copy of your resume.
  • References: Current email address for one advisor or professor, who can comment on your work, passion, and ability to follow directions. One letter of recommendation is required for successful submission of your application. Letters are accepted up to 1 week after deadline for applications.
  • Grade Reports: Copy of your most RECENT transcript with your December 2026 grades. If you're applying early, please resubmit to the same link when grades post.
  • Deadline: January 31, 2027, 11:59 CST

Please note that all interested students must fully complete the online application, to be considered.

Video Interviews are sent within one week after the deadline closing. Please watch out for information from JobPixel.