Applications for 2025 are now open and are due March 16, 2025
Please visit us on our new iCLEM website for more information and to apply: https://www.iclem.org/
Information for iCLEM 2025:
The Introductory College Level Experience in Microbiology (iCLEM) is a paid summer science intensive for economically disadvantaged high school sophomores and juniors. The program seeks to broaden students’ understanding of biotechnology, microbiology, and biofuels. In addition to completing a research project, the program also exposes students to career exploration and preparation for the college application process.
iCLEM Applications will be released on iCLEM.org.
To be eligible for iCLEM, you must meet all the following requirements. Due to the nature of our program funding, we are unable to make any exceptions:
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Be 16 years old by June 16, 2025.
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Have an annual household income of less than $120,800 for a family of 4 if you live in Alameda or Contra Costa counties or $156,650 for a family of 4 if you reside in San Francisco County. Additional income guidance can be found in the chart below. We use the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development definition for low-income which is 80% or less of an area’s median income.
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Be currently enrolled as a sophomore or junior in high school.
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Be a resident of Alameda, Contra Costa, or San Francisco County.
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Be a US citizen or permanent resident.
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Have a GPA of at least 2.5 and have passed Algebra 1 and Biology.
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Commit to one prep week: June 16 – June 19, 2025 (mostly virtual) to complete required trainings and orientations.
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Commit to being in-person in our laboratories in Emeryville, CA: June 20 – August 1, 2025.
Program Details for Summer 2025:
The 2025 program will consist of:
- One prep week: June 16 – June 19, 2025 (mostly virtual) to complete required trainings and orientations and an in-person day on Friday, June 20.
- Six weeks in-person research in our laboratories in Emeryville, CA: June 20 – August 1, 2025.
Program Highlights:
• Receive a stipend of $3,000 for the program from June 14, 2024 to July 26, 2024.
• Complete a hands-on, real-world research project in a state-of-the-art laboratory mentored by JBEI researchers and UC undergrads.
• Learn fundamental concepts in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biofuels, and synthetic biology.
• Prepare for the college admission process – write and revise a personal statement and learn about admissions requirements and financial aid.
• Explore careers through discussions with STEM professionals and visits to local biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
• Gain skills and confidence in communicating scientific research.Items Required for the application:
- A current transcript
- Personal Statement – describe yourself, your life goals, and the world you come from – your family, your school, or community. Tell us how the world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.
- Why are you applying for iCLEM statement – Tell us why you are a good fit for the iCLEM program and why you are interested in the program.
- Name and email address of a teacher who is willing to provide a letter of reference upon request.
Please begin the application process early to ensure you have time to complete all components of the application. We are unable to accept late applications. While the application process is rigorous, we place primary importance on the student’s background, teachers’ recommendations, and the student’s strong desire to do science and work hard during the summer. The student’s academic record is considered, but it is not the only factor in our selection process.
For students who do not meet our requirements, we recommend the following resources to find summer internships for high school students:
Berkeley Lab K-12 High School Student Opportunities
For questions about the iCLEM program, please contact Sara Harmon ([email protected])
