Opportunities for Undergraduate Students

Applications for the 2027 PUMP program will open on December 1, 2026.

Supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH/NIDDK), the PUMP Program recruits undergraduate students (rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors) and provides longitudinal research skill-building and mentored research experiences in urology and nephrology.

The program includes an eight-week, full-time summer research experience running from June 1, 2027, through July 23, 2027, followed by year-long virtual professional development activities. During the summer, participants engage in a structured research and training experience designed to introduce them to the rigor and intellectual rewards of biomedical research.

The PUMP curriculum includes a didactic lecture series and a mentored research experience in urology or nephrology. Participants also have the opportunity to shadow in pediatric and adult nephrology clinics.

Six students will be selected to participate in the summer program. Each PUMP scholar will be matched with a research project in urology or nephrology and a mentorship team that includes both junior and senior faculty mentors.

I. Program Focus

The program focuses on the following:

• Implementing a mentored summer research enrichment program to develop interest in uronephrology research careers among a cohort of rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
• Preparing next-generation uronephrology investigators to mentor the next generation of the biomedical workforce by training graduate students, postdoctoral associates, and junior faculty in mentorship and providing critical experience leading student research projects.
• Preparing a cohort of undergraduates for post-graduate training and entry into uronephrology research careers through sustained engagement that extends and enriches the summer research program experience.

II. Application Procedure

Applications for the 2027 PUMP program will be submitted via YOJO, a web-based platform. Detailed instructions are provided in the accordion section below. 

The following documents are required to complete the application: 

1. Curriculum vitae or resume
2. Current transcript (official or unofficial)

Letters of Support

You will also need to provide the names and email addresses of two reference writers, ideally educators, mentors, or supervisors who can speak to your research potential, academic background, and career interests.

Once you submit your application, your reference writers will automatically receive an email from YOJO with a link to upload their letters of support. Recommendation requests are sent approximately 15 minutes after the application is submitted, giving you time to correct a mistyped email address. Please ask your reference writers to watch for an email from yojo.center and to check their spam or junk folders if they do not see the request.

All letters of support must be submitted by the application deadline: February 8, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early enough to allow their reference writers sufficient time to submit their letters before the deadline.

III. Additional Details

• Prior research experience is not required. Applicants are expected to demonstrate a strong interest in science and solid academic performance.
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required for participation, in accordance with NIH policy. 
• Participants receive a $7,000 stipend for the eight-week summer research experience.
• Participants are responsible for securing their own housing and meals. 

IV. Key Dates

• Application Opens: December 1, 2026
• Application Deadline: February 8, 2027
• Award Notification: April 2027
• Program Start Date: June 1, 2027
• Summer Program Concludes: July 23, 2027

Questions may be submitted via email at opsd@dm.duke.edu.

YOJO, short for Your Journey, is a web-based platform that allows learners to map their career pathways and streamlines program administration. 

Step 1: Access the PUMP Application

Access the Paired Undergraduate Mentoring Program (PUMP) application on the YOJO platform by navigating to the following website: https://yojo.center/programs/opsdpump.

Step 2: Log In/Sign Up

Before starting your application, you will need to sign in to YOJO or create an account.

1. Click the Sign in button in the upper-right corner of the YOJO homepage.
2. On the Sign In page, select the option that applies to you: 

If you are a new user:

• Click Create one to create a YOJO account.
• Choose Sign up with Google or complete the registration form using your email address and a password.
• If registering with an email address and password: After clicking Create account, check your email for a confirmation link from YOJO. Click the link to verify your email address and continue the registration process.

Note: The confirmation email may take a few minutes to arrive. If you do not see it in your inbox, be sure to check your spam or junk folder, as the email may be delivered there.

If you already have a YOJO account:

• Sign in with Google: Click Sign in with Google and follow the prompts.
• Sign in with an email link: Enter your email address and click Send sign-in link. Check your inbox and follow the link to sign in.
• Sign in with a password: Click Sign in with a password instead if you have previously created a password.

Note: Please use your primary or frequently checked email address to ensure you receive important communications related to your application. If you request an email sign-in link, check your spam or junk folder if the email does not appear in your inbox.

For new users only: When prompted to Finish creating your account, review your email address, enter or confirm your display name, and provide your date of birth. Click Finish signing up to complete your account registration.

Step 3: Complete Your YOJO Profile Setup 

After creating your account or signing in to YOJO, you will be prompted to set up your profile.

1. Level 1: Where are you in your journey? Please select Undergraduate and click Next. 
2. Level 2: What are you interested in? Please select topics relevant to your PUMP application (e.g., Biology, Medicine, Research, Science, etc.) and click Next. 
3. Level 3: How would you like to take part? Please select In person. Please note that PUMP is an eight-week in-person summer research experience followed by a virtual professional development program. Then, click Next. 
4. Level 4: Where are you? Please select your state and click Next. 
5. Level 5: Are you interested in being a mentor? This question is not applicable to PUMP applicants. Please select  I just want to learn and click Finish.

Step 4: Locate the PUMP Application

After completing your profile setup, you will be directed to your YOJO dashboard, where you will see summer programs matched to your interests.

1. Scroll down to Programs for you and locate Duke Paired Undergraduate Mentoring Program (PUMP) in Uronephrology. Click the program to continue.
2. Alternatively, you may select Browse programs or the Programs tab and search for PUMP to locate the program.
3. Once you open the PUMP program page, review the program description and details. Scroll to the cohorts at the bottom of the page and click Apply next to PUMP 2027. You may also use the Apply now button near the top of the program page when applications are open.

Note: Before applications open, the program page will display the opening date. Students may select Favorite to be notified to receive a notification when the application goes live.

Important Information

• Each student may submit only one application for the PUMP program.
• Do not submit multiple applications using different email addresses.
• Accepted upload formats are PDF, images (PNG, JPEG, and WEBP), and plain text (.txt). Each file may be up to 10 MB.
• If you need to make changes after submitting your application, go to My applications, withdraw your submitted application, and select Re-apply. Your previous answers will carry into a new draft, so you only need to update the necessary information before resubmitting by the application deadline.

Letters of Support

• You will need to provide the names and email addresses of two reference writers. 
• Recommendation request emails are sent to your reference writers only after you submit your application. Your reference writers will receive an email from yojo.center with a link to upload their letters of support. 
• Requests are sent approximately 15 minutes after you submit your application, giving you time to correct a mistyped email address.
• Please submit your application early to allow your reference writers sufficient time to respond. Ask them to watch for an email from yojo.center and to check their spam or junk folders if they do not see the request. 
• All letters of support must be submitted by February 8, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. ET.