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Any USC faculty member who conducts research at USC and its affiliated organizations is eligible.
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Any research that connects with understanding the human body and human health is eligible. This is defined in a broad sense and includes studies of biomedical materials, instruments or methods development, computational or animal models of disease, cinematic investigations of scientific data or methods, as well as human health topics. Research projects in geology, plant science, green energy, astronomy, marine science, etc. are NOT eligible for participation in the BUGS Program.
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During the summer 2025 program, we expect the projects to be conducted in person at USC and affiliated campuses, with an allowance for some hybrid (partly online; partly in person) participation. Strictly virtual/online-only projects will be excluded from the 2025 BUGS Program.
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The BUGS Program typically runs from late-May (with a 1 week break following graduation before the program starts; May 27) through the first Saturday in August (~11 weeks). The program culminates in a finale summer symposium at which the students are introduced to the symposium attendees by their mentor and present their research results in an oral/slide session; symposium attendees include faculty/mentors/colleagues, as well as fellow students and family members/guests. We hope you will attend and participate in the symposium too.
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All student participants in the BUGS Summer Research Program receive a $3000 stipend for their summer work. Faculty may: (1) agree to support the full stipend ($3000), or (2) indicate that they can only support 50% ($1500) of the stipend, and acceptance is contingent on the student’s receipt of (at least partial) fellowship funding, or (3) indicate that they cannot support any of the stipend, and acceptance is contingent on the student’s receipt of full fellowship funding.
Students are encouraged to apply for available summer research fellowships through USC (Dornsife SURF; Provost’s PURF; or WiSE). Additionally, all student applicants will be considered for fellowship awards from separate donations to the Bridge Institute. If the student is selected for a fellowship, the faculty member will not be charged for the stipend (even if they initially agreed to cover that cost).
The BUGS Program does not cover related materials/supply expenses needed to conduct the proposed research; these costs are the responsibility of the host lab/Faculty Mentor.
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Monday, February 24, 2025: The 2025 BUGS Qualtrics Application site opens.
Sunday, April 13, 2025: (Student) BUGS Applications due via Qualtrics. Students will automatically receive an email via Qualtrics confirming the application submission. Any updates or changes to the submitted application should be emailed to bridgeinstitute@usc.edu and NOT submitted as a new application.
Wednesday, April 23, 2025: BUGS Faculty/Mentor Contracts due via Qualtrics.
Monday, May 5, 2025: BUGS Fellowship Award decisions made (internal activity at the Bridge Institute) and offers of provisional acceptance in the 2025 BUGS Summer Research Program are emailed to the Student.
Full acceptance in the BUGS Program is contingent upon:
- Satisfactory Completion of the USC General Laboratory Safety Training Course.
- Return of completed BUGS Student Contract Forms.
Tuesday, May 27, 2025: BUGS Summer Research Program begins.
Saturday, August 2, 2025: BUGS Summer Research Finale Symposium.
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You will be required to release the student from research activities to allow them to participate in mandatory weekly programmatic activities (planned for max 2 hours, one day each week at Michelson Hall on the UPC Campus).