Call for Applications: Summer Student Fellowship Program

The Parkinson’s Foundation Summer Student Fellowships Program supports advanced undergraduate and medical students undertaking 10 weeks of summer clinical or laboratory research related to Parkinson’s disease. The award provides $4,000 , with an opportunity to apply separately for up to $1,000 in conference travel support . Applicants must remain active students throughout the award period; students graduating in Spring 2027 are ineligible .

Eligible applicants: Advanced undergraduate and medical students

Geographic eligibility: National and international applicants

Additional support: Opportunity to apply for up to $1,000 for conference travel

Mentor: A named expert in the Parkinson’s community

Laboratory limit: Only one fellowship may be awarded per laboratory

Key exclusion: Students graduating in Spring 2027

The program cultivates students’ early interest in research that contributes to understanding, treating, and ending Parkinson’s disease.

Through a supervised summer project, students gain research experience and develop skills that can support future work in the field. Projects may involve either clinical research or laboratory research .

The fellowship provides $4,000 to support summer research. Stated uses include:

Awardees may also apply for up to $1,000 in travel funds to attend a related scientific conference and present their project. This additional support is application-based and should not be treated as automatically included in the initial award.

First payment: After the mentor confirms that the student has started the project.

Second payment: After the final progress report has been submitted and approved, and the mentor verifies project completion.

The supplied information does not specify the amount of each instalment.

The award may be taxable . The announcement states that the Parkinson’s Foundation sends recipients an IRS Form 1099 at the end of the calendar year.

Be advanced undergraduate or medical students

Remain active students throughout the award period

Propose a summer project related to Parkinson’s disease

Name an expert in the Parkinson’s community as mentor and project supervisor

The program accepts national and international applicants . International awardees must provide proof of a valid visa before the project begins .

Students graduating in Spring 2027 are ineligible.

The supplied information does not define “advanced undergraduate” by study year or provide additional institutional requirements.

The award supports 10 weeks of summer clinical or laboratory research .

Applicants must identify a mentor with expertise in the Parkinson’s community who will supervise the project. The mentor also confirms the project’s start and completion for payment purposes.

Only one fellowship may be awarded per laboratory . This is an award limit; the supplied information does not state whether a separate limit applies to the number of applications submitted by a laboratory.

Early research experience can help students explore a scientific field and develop practical research skills.

This fellowship combines a defined summer project with expert supervision and financial support. The possibility of conference travel support also gives awardees an opportunity to share their work with a scientific audience.

Review the official program information. Visit the Parkinson’s Foundation research award deadlines page and locate the Summer Student Fellowships Program.

Confirm student eligibility. Check that you will remain enrolled throughout the award period and do not fall within the Spring 2027 graduation exclusion.

Identify a mentor. Secure supervision from an expert in the Parkinson’s community.

Develop a 10-week project. Define the research question, planned activities, and achievable outcomes.

Coordinate with the laboratory. Discuss the one-fellowship-per-laboratory award limit.

Prepare the required materials . Follow the official instructions for the proposal, mentor information, and supporting documents.

Submit by the confirmed deadline. Check the official page for the closing date and submission process.

International awardees should arrange the required visa documentation before beginning the project.

Check enrolment dates carefully. Active student status must continue throughout the award.

Address the graduation exclusion. Students graduating in Spring 2027 cannot apply.

Keep the project realistic. Plan work that can be completed within 10 weeks.

Confirm supervision early. The mentor has responsibilities during both research and payment verification.

Distinguish the funding stages. Conference travel requires a separate application.

Plan for the final report. Approval and mentor confirmation are conditions for the second payment.

Review tax information. The award may be taxable.

Advanced undergraduate and medical students conducting Parkinson’s-related research may apply, provided they remain active students throughout the award period.

The fellowship provides $4,000 . Awardees may separately apply for up to $1,000 in conference travel funds.

3. What research does the fellowship support?

It supports 10 weeks of summer clinical or laboratory research related to Parkinson’s disease .

4. Can students graduating in Spring 2027 apply?

No. The supplied information explicitly excludes students graduating in Spring 2027.

Yes. International awardees must provide proof of a valid visa before the project begins.

The first payment follows mentor confirmation that the project has started. The second follows approval of the final progress report and mentor verification of completion.

The Summer Student Fellowships Program offers students funding and supervised experience in Parkinson’s research. Applicants should confirm their enrolment eligibility, identify a suitable mentor, and prepare a feasible 10-week project before submitting.

For more information, visit Parkinson’s Foundation .