Bridge Undergraduate Science Jr. Program (BUGS Jr.)

An Immersive Summer Research Program for High School Students

We are training the next generation of students to surmount disciplinary boundaries, create professional networks, and engage in world-class research as they work to better understand the human body and human health.

 

UPDATE: Due to an overwhelming number of applications received for the 2024 BUGS Jr Program, we anticipate that the rate of acceptance will be lower this year than has been typical in previous years of the program. We sincerely appreciate your interest in our program and in advancing STEM education and research opportunities for aspiring youth.
Additional information will be posted here as it becomes available.

Seeking Feedback from our BUGS/Jr Alumni

The information being collected in this survey is: (1) for statistical purposes for planned future funding applications with relevant agencies, (2) for use on our website, social media and other promotional materials – please make sure to indicate at the end of the survey your consent/non-consent for these purposes, and (3) to evaluate impact and allow us to rationally consider changes to improve the program in the future.

Thanks for your participation!

Link to the Survey
FAQ for HS Students
FAQ for Parents/Guardians
FAQ For Faculty/Mentors

HANDS-ON RESEARCH

The BUGS Jr Program runs concurrently each summer with a parallel program for undergraduates, Bridge Undergraduate Science Program, known as BUGS for short. Students in the BUGS Jr Program pair with a USC Faculty Member and the members of their laboratory, often graduate students or postdoctoral fellows, to perform hands-on research in state-of-the-art research labs at USC.

Students also benefit from weekly BUGS Jr Program activities, including campus tours, journal clubs, career symposia, technical panels and Bridge-sponsored peer community-building activities such as research seminars and multi-disciplinary social mixers.

Curious to learn the kind of research our previous BUGS have done? Get to know a few of our alumni in the BUGS Jr Alumni Focus, or peruse our list of alumni to see some of the people who participated before and the projects they worked on.

EXPLORE DISCIPLINES

BUGS Jr is one of a few immersive U.S. programs that allows students to explore across scientific disciplines and additionally incorporates opportunities to collaborate with students in the USC School of Cinematic Arts. A unique highlight of the program is the summer finale symposium (the first Friday and Saturday in August) where BUGS Jrs  present their work to their scientific mentors, peers and family, as well as the university community in dynamic poster sessions that allow them to showcase their efforts from the summer research program.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

If you are currently a high school student, or will be an incoming freshman during the upcoming school year, you are eligible to participate in the BUGS Jr Program. Students who will graduate from high school in Spring 2024 should apply to this BUGS Jr Program.

There is no citizenship requirement to participate in the BUGS Jr Program. [We do not provide VISA sponsorship for program participation].

There is no GPA requirement to participate in the
BUGS Jr Program.

PROGRAM DATES

2024 BUGS Jr Program application portal is NOW CLOSED

 

Provisional Acceptances emailed:  May 1 – May 20, 2024

Program begins: Monday, June 17, 2024

Program ends: Finale Symposium — Saturday, August 3, 2024

Meet our BUGS Jr Alumni ➔

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Interested in working together or have an idea to share?

Contact Us  ➔

Bridge Institute

Main Number:

(213) 821-9823

Bridge Undergraduate Science Program

(BUGS and BUGS Jr. programs)

(213) 821-9823