Apply to PHIRE Program
Applications Due:
February, 1, 2025, 5 pm AZ time
Program Overview
Interested in research training in health informatics and data science?
Are you a current student or transferring to the University of Arizona in Fall 2025?
The PHIRE training program consists of a paid research experience (full-time in Summer and part-time in Fall) for undergraduate students to conduct mentored research with a faculty mentor in summer, followed by placement within a thematic minor designed to provide a transformative learning experience in health informatics and biomedical research.
Research areas include, but are limited to, (a) projects with applications of informatics to biological, clinical, and/or environmental sciences and (b) projects that aim to promote health equity and address health disparities and sociotechnical issues relevant to Arizona and the broader Southwest region. Students from Arizona communities that have been historically disadvantaged are particularly encouraged to apply.
Eligibility
Undergraduate students who have completed at least two years of their degree (bachelor’s or associate degree) by May 2025, and will be enrolled at the University of Arizona in Fall 2025
Preferred disciplines include, but not limited to, any general sciences, social science (e.g., anthropology), life sciences, computer and information sciences, engineering, mathematics, management science, and public health.
Interest in biomedical/health-related research.
Interest in pursuing graduate studies
Available to participate in full-time training and research (30 hours per week) during Summer 2025 and part-time research (5 hours per week) in Fall 2025
Program Duration and Dates
Orientation: May 12, 2025 (TBD)
Summer training and research experience: May 19 to August 8, 2025 (TBD)
Following the summer training program, students will continue their research experience on a part-time basis and enroll in a personalized thematic minor in health informatics during their junior and senior years at the University of Arizona.
Salary
Students will receive a salary of up to $6,000 ($15 per hour) over the course of the summer and fall (30 hours per week during summer and 5 hours per week during fall). The program is supported by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) of the National Institutes of Health.
Application Requirements
Before starting the application, please have the following items and responses ready.
Why are you interested in participating in the PHIRE training program? (200 words or two paragraphs). This is your opportunity to tell us more about your background and your interest in research, health informatics and/or data science.
A description of your prior professional experiences, including any skills and perspectives you developed in those experiences (200 words or two paragraphs). Experiences may include community service, work or research experiences, academic projects, participation in workshops etc.
This program is about leveraging the power of “place” for research and learning. What does place mean to you in the context of health and well-being? Think about how has “place” shaped your own and/or your community’s health and well-being? (100 words or one paragraph).
A PDF of your current resume/CV (no page limit).
Unofficial recent transcripts of your current degree.
Please contact phire@arizona.edu for any questions you may have.
Applications due by February 1, 2025
FAQs
How many participants will be accepted into this program?
We will accept up to 12 scholars every year. Additional spots may be added depending on availability of resources.
Are international students eligible to participate in this program?
As a federally-sponsored program, PHIRE primarily supports training and education of U.S citizens. However, we encourage all interested students to apply so that we can evaluate options for them through other undergraduate research programs at the University of Arizona.
Is the PHIRE summer research experience in-person or virtual?
The summer component of the program is designed to be in-person for the most-part. However, after the first two weeks, once you are matched with a faculty mentor and a research group, the mode of participation may be flexible depending on the nature of the research project and expectations from the faculty mentor.
