The Petit Undergraduate Research Scholars program is a competitive scholarship program that serves to develop the next generation of leading bioengineering and bioscience researchers by providing a comprehensive research experience for a full year.  Open to all Atlanta area university students, the program allows undergraduates to conduct independent research in the state-of-the-art laboratories of the Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience.  Scholars develop their own research project within the term of January to December each year.  

Students and faculty from IBB's eight "research neighborhoods" participate in the areas of cancer biology, biomaterials, drug design, development and delivery, molecular evolution, molecular cellular and tissue biomechanics, regenerative medicine, stem cell engineering and systems biology.

Since its inception in 2000, the program has supported hundreds of top undergraduate researchers who have gone on to distinguished careers in research, medicine and industry.  Originally established as a summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program from a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant awarded to the Georgia Tech/Emory Center for Tissue Engineering, the program was expanded to a full year research opportunity that has grown from funding 10 scholars per year to 19 scholars in 2011.  To date, the program has funded scholars from Georgia Tech, Morehouse College, Georgia State University, Emory University, Agnes Scott College and Georgia Gwinnett College. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                     Petit Scholars receive training that provide a solid foundation for them to pursue advanced degrees in science or engineering.  This graphs depicts the career status of Petit Scholars following the completion of their baccalaureate degree.  As shown, 62% entered a graduate degree program and 15% entered medical school indicating that close to 80% of Petit Scholars go on to obtain advanced degrees. 

For more information about applicant criteria, selection timeline and to submit an online application for the next scholar class, please click here.

Funding for the Petit Scholars is supported by Atlanta area community members, including the Friends of the Petit Institute, as well as corporate sponsorship. If you are interested in donating to this valuable program, please contact us or visit the "Donate" link above.