2026-2027 Chuck Lorre Research Scholars Program

The Chuck Lorre Research Scholars Program is a laboratory-based summer research and career development program for undergraduate students enrolled in an LA-area public university who have completed their freshman, sophomore, or junior year. Selected interns will perform at least 10 weeks of full-time paid ($5,500) research in a laboratory and at an institution of their choice. The program will also support you to present your research at a national research conference if scientifically warranted.

Eligibility Criteria: LA-HIP alumni or undergraduate students enrolled in an LA-basin public university.
Program Expectations: 1.) Work full-time in person in a lab of your choice for 10 weeks. 2.) Attendance at periodic virtual meetings from March to May for support in identifying and joining a lab. 3.) Attendance at weekly virtual academic enrichment meetings during the summer (June-August).
For more information about the CLRSP, please visit our website.

Please be aware that applications that are missing either a letter of recommendation or a college transcript by the deadline will not be considered. We encourage applicants to request their letters of recommendation as early as possible and well in advance of the application deadline. This application is due midnight (PST) of Sunday, February 15th, 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact Emmanuel Obasohan at eobasohan@chla.usc.edu or Dr. Manal Tabbaa at mtabbaa@chla.usc.edu

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What is your completed grade level by the summer of 2026?

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What is your intended Major? (Please Indicate if undecided)

What is your intended Minor? (If none, enter N/A)

What is your cumulative STEM GPA? Your STEM GPA should include all Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math courses. There are online calculators to assist (linked below). Enter N/A if you do not yet have a STEM GPA (i.e., if you haven’t taken any STEM courses).

copy/paste this link to access gpa calculator: https://medicalschoolhq.net/med-school-gpa-calculator-for-amcas-aacomas-and-tmdsas/

If you entered N/A, please explain why you do not have a STEM GPA.

What are your long-term academic career goals? (i.e., PhD, MD/PhD, etc.). Please explain why you chose your intended career path. (maximum 250-word limit)

Please attach your most current official or unofficial college transcript as a PDF. If your PDF is locked, upload a printable version instead. You may also email it to Emmanuel Obasohan at eobasohan@chla.usc.edu:

Have you participated in the CLRSP before?

What are your research interests for this summer and how do they align with your intended career path? Please indicate the field of laboratory research you would like to work in (i.e., Cancer, Neuroscience, Stem Cell Biology, etc.) (maximum 200-word limit).

Please provide a 250-word summary of your prior research. If you have previously participated in the CLRSP, please provide a summary of your CLRSP research experience. If you have not participated in the CLRSP, provide a summary of any prior research experience you have had. Provide the name of your previous PI.

Describe a time you overcame a challenge while learning or applying a scientific or technical skill - whether in the lab, a class, or another hands-on setting. What steps did you take to work through the challenge, and what was the outcome? (maximum 150-word limit)

CLRSP is built on a close-knit support network where scholars learn with—and from—each other. In what ways do you see yourself contributing to the group, whether through collaboration, communication, initiative, or other strengths? If you can, share a brief example of how you have contributed to a team in the past. (maximum 150-word limit)

If you are a current Freshman, you will need only ONE letter of recommendation. This letter must be from a qualified faculty from your school (i.e., STEM professor, STEM instructor) who will be able to provide us with a meaningful assessment of your academic strengths, your interest in research and your career goals. Ask your recommender(s) to email the letter(s) as a PDF to Emmanuel Obasohan (eobasohan@chla.usc.edu) no later than February 15th, 2026. Please provide the following information of your recommenders:

If you are a current Sophomore or Junior, you will need TWO letters of recommendation. These letters must be from qualified faculty (i.e., research mentor, STEM professor, STEM instructor) who will be able to provide us with a meaningful assessment of your academic strengths, your interest in research and your career goals. If you have previously participated in the CLRSP, one of the letters of recommendation must be from your previous CLRSP laboratory PI (not a postdoc of graduate student). If you have participated in LA-HIP, one of your letters of recommendation must be from your previous LA-HIP mentor. Ask your recommender(s) to email the letter(s) as a PDF to Emmanuel Obasohan (eobasohan@chla.usc.edu) no later than the February 15th, 2026 deadline.

Is there anything else you want us to know? Please add only additional relevant information.

Application to the Chuck Lorre Research Scholars Program (CLRSP), 2026

Eligibility Information

Student Information

Academic Information

Research Information

Letters of Recommendation