Program at a Glance
10 weeks
Length of Program
May 30 - August 8
Dates of program for 2026
Compensated
Stipend, Room, Board, Travel to & from Minnesota
Completed applications are due by February 14, 2026.
About our program
The Minnesota Craniofacial and Oral Health Research Experience (MnCORE) aims to introduce new generations of researchers to questions in craniofacial, oral health and dental research. Research strengths of this training program include immunology/cancer, biomaterials, bone biology, and microbiology.
MnCORE has four integrated components based on its foundational ten-week residential summer research and career development program:
- completion of a research project
- weekly group seminars
- introduction to oral biology and dental career paths
- development of professional skills. Students interested in research careers, clinical careers, and combined DDS/PhD career paths are all welcome to apply.
MnCORE partners with the University of Minnesota’s Life Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Program (LSSURP) to provide students with the best experience. LSSURP brings together nine summer research programs, with approximately 70 students in total, providing professional development experiences, social events and general student services throughout the summer.
LSSURP provides all students, including those traditionally underrepresented in the life sciences, with experience and training that enhances their ability to pursue a career in research. This represents a long-standing commitment to increasing the impact and quality of life science research at the University of Minnesota. LSSURP is open to all.
MnCORE will begin with a joint LSSURP orientation weekend, followed by participation in a 10-week research project under the direction of a University of Minnesota faculty mentor and numerous special activities focused on professional development as well as social interaction. The summer research experience concludes with a poster symposium and banquet in August.
Who can apply?
Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents, enrolled full time in an accredited 2- or 4-year institution, who are interested in pursuing a PhD, DDS or MD in the life sciences in the future, and able to commit full-time to the program throughout the entire 10-week program.
Take the Next Step
MNCORE trainees from 2023 and 2024, along with the 2024 seminar coordinator, start dental school at the University of Minnesota.
Applications are submitted through the LSSURP Program. The online application requires two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, a brief biosketch, a diversity statement, and unofficial transcripts. There is no fee to apply.
Completed applications are due by February 14, 2026 at midnight.