The BioLAB Program offers one-year long research traineeships to students enrolled in a Master or PhD degree programs in Poland in life sciences, biophysics or medical fields of study. Traineeships will be completed at one of the four host institutions in the U.S.: University of Virginia, University of Chicago, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and UT Southwestern Medical Center.
The BioLAB Program (previously known as Visiting Research Graduate Traineeship Program) was launched in 2001 at the University of Virginia under the leadership of Professor Zygmunt Derewenda. In 2006, the University of Chicago became the second host institution in the United States, followed by the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in 2013 and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in 2014.
To date, over 600 alumni have completed the BioLAB Program, with more than 90% choosing to continue their education in doctoral studies – 20% of them in the United States, and the rest in Europe and other countries worldwide. Notable institutions where alumni are pursuing their studies include the University of Oxford, University College London, University of Cambridge, the Max Planck Institute, and ETH Zürich. Research conducted during the program frequently serves as the basis for articles published in prestigious peer-reviewed journals such as Nature, Proteins: Structure, Function, and Bioinformatics, and Acta Crystallographica. Program participants have contributed significantly to the scientific community, co-authoring numerous papers based on the research they conducted in the U.S.
Since 2013, the Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission has administered the BioLAB Program, with full funding provided by the host institutions.
Call for applications
The application process is now open. The deadline for submitting applications for the 2025-26 academic year is February 1, 2025, at 03:00 PM Polish time.
Join one of information sessions to learn more about BioLAB Program: fulbright.edu.pl/biolab-program-information-sessions.
Duration and planned number of placements
Internships are offered for 12 months. In justified cases, there is a possibility to extend the internship for one additional year.
There are approximately 40 positions (this number may change).
Who are we looking for
We are looking for students:
- Specializing in life sciences, biophysics, medical or related fields of study,
- Passionate about research and experienced in lab work,
- Maintain a high grade point average (above 4.0 in Polish academic GPA),
- Willing to commit to a one-year stay in the US and intensive, time-consuming laboratory work.
The Commission welcomes applications from all candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, geographic location, socio-economic status and physical or mental ability.
Participation in the program includes
A one-year research traineeship in a laboratory setting. The BioLAB Program offers the opportunity to contribute to significant research projects while being mentored by experienced professionals. In some cases, the research outcomes may be suitable for inclusion in, or publication as part of, the candidate’s Master’s or PhD thesis.
Salaries are disbursed every 2 to 3 weeks. Participants will hold the status of either a visiting graduate student, research trainee, or non-degree graduate student.
The salary amount varies depending on the location of the host institution and ranges from 28,000 to 35,000 USD per year. Participants are responsible for any U.S. federal and/or state taxes.
During the traineeship, participants will be enrolled in a comprehensive medical insurance plan provided by the host institution.
Participants are connected with the current cohort of BioLAB Program students in the US. Additionally, they receive guidelines and information on key topics, as well as recordings of pre-departure orientation meetings conducted by program alumni. Throughout the internship, participants are supported by the program coordinator at the host institution and can also rely on the support of the Fulbright Commission coordinator.
Eligibility
Individuals eligible to apply for the BioLAB Program have to meet the following criteria:
- Meet formal requirements of a F-1 or J-1 visa,
- Be enrolled in a graduate program, in Poland, where their major field of study is life sciences, biophysics or medical fields of study (biology, biotechnology, medicine, physics, pharmacy, biochemistry etc.),
- Demonstrate knowledge of English proficiency at the B2 level or higher,
- Maintain a high grade point average throughout their studies (4.0 or above in Polish academic grading system is recommended),
- Hold, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree and, at the time of the interview (March) be enrolled in a Master’s or PhD program (in the case of long-cycle studies – from the 4th year onwards) at a Polish university or research institution and maintain an active student status throughout the BioLAB Program,
- International students must have completed the undergraduate degree (Licencjat or Inżynier) in a Polish university.
Apply
Recruitment schedule
October 1, 2024 – February 1, 2025
Call for applications for the academic year 2025-26. We accept applications submitted by 03:00 PM Polish local time on the last day of the recruitment.
Beginning of March 2025
Selected candidates will receive an invitation for interviews. In the case of a large number of highly-rated candidates, a waiting list will be created.
March 5, 2025
Deadline for submitting transcripts from the winter semester for candidates invited to interviews.
Mid-March, 2025
Interviews conducted by BioLAB coordinators and Fulbright Commission’s representative – Selection Committee from the host institutions.If circumstances allow, the interviews will be held in Warsaw and one other city in Poland However, if the Selection Committee cannot travel to Poland, the interviews will be conducted online via Zoom, following the plan provided by the Program Officer.
There are approximately 40 positions available (this number may change). If not all positions are filled after the initial round of interviews, additional online interviews may be scheduled for candidates on the waiting list.
Mid-April 2025
Preliminary results. Sending offers to nominated candidates by host institutions representatives.
End of April 2025
Finalizing the list of nominated candidates and assigning them to specific laboratories at the host institutions.
May 2025
Orientation meeting in Warsaw or in online format.
Beginning of July 2025 – July 15, 2025 at the latest
Departure to the U.S.
Before you start completing the application form
- Read all information on this website and make sure that you meet all formal criteria.
- Read the Bylaws of the BioLAB Program.
- Read the Privacy Policy for the BioLAB Program participants.
- If you have any questions, contact the program officer.
Prepare required documentation
All documents should be prepared in English and submitted to the application form.
All attachments must be formatted as a single PDF file, in the following order: CV, transcripts, personal statement, consent for participation. The file must be named with your last name and first name, e.g., “Smith John.pdf”.
Separately, attach the list of preferred projects (it can also be emailed to the program coordinator no later than the last day of recruitment).
If the documents aren’t formatted correctly, the application might get rejected due to formal issues.
Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) with a list of academic as well as non-academic accomplishments. The document must be submitted according to the template.
Download the template [.docx]
Bachelor’s diploma with a diploma supplement or transcript (if applicable), Master’s diploma with diploma supplement or transcript (if applicable) and PhD’s transcript (if applicable).
Personal statement, i.e. a letter indicating candidate’s research interests, with justification, and future career plans. The document must be submitted according to the template.
Download the template [.docx]
Consent for participation in the program signed by the Dean of the Faculty or associate Dean for Student Affairs from the candidate’s home university as well as thesis supervisor. The document must be submitted according to the template.
Download template – Master’s students [.docx]
Download template – Ph.D. students [.docx]
A list of available projects in which you can participate during your internship at various host institutions are provided in the application. You will be required to prepare a document (in any format) in which you will select your preferred projects and provide justification for your choices, including the benefits of your participation in each project and the contributions you can make. You can select a maximum of five projects, although you can also declare whether you are open to other opportunities within your areas of interest. You should also specify any research areas you do not wish to be considered for (if applicable) and whether you are willing to participate in experiments involving animals such as mice, rats, fish, etc. You can either attach the document to the application form or send it via email to the program coordinator no later than February 1st, by 03:00 PM (in accordance with the application deadline).
Here you can check EXAMPLES of projects carried out in 2024-25. Please note that this is not a list of projects available in the current edition of the program.
Prepare additional documents
You can upload max. 5 additional documents (i.e. certificate of proficiency in English, confirmation of laboratory skills, publications). All attachments must be formatted in one PDF file. A file must be named by your last name followed by your first name and Supplement i.e.: Kowalski Jan Supplement.pdf.
Obtain letters of recommendation
Ask two referees to prepare confidential recommendation letters for you in a PDF. file. If you participated in foreign internship(s), a letter from an internship mentor is welcome. Referee must use the form below to submit the letter. Do not attach recommendation letters by yourself! You must not have access to the letters.
Submit application form
Fill out the application form. You do not have to fill out the application form in a one go. You can open an account, save your answers and go back to filling out the application form later. Recommendation letters must be submitted by the referees. You will not be allowed to submit any missing documents after the deadline.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
In this case, you will need to send your transcript from your Inżynier studies, and then later submit your Inżynier diploma and proof of admission to the Master program as soon as it becomes available (no later than March 5, 2025).
Due to the specific nature of the internship, which requires the participant to have the necessary knowledge and skills, we accept applications only from students whose study program includes laboratory work. If you are unsure whether your field of study qualifies for the program, please contact the program officer.
The program offers you a year of advanced research experience, allowing you to work on important and challenging projects at one of the top universities or institutions in the United States. Frequently, the research you conduct is published in high-impact journals. In addition to your academic training, this additional year of intensive research experience greatly enhances your competitiveness for admission to the world’s best PhD programs. Our alumni have been accepted by institutions such as the University of Cambridge, Oxford University, the University of Chicago, the University of Virginia, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, the University of Oklahoma, Rockefeller University, Johns Hopkins University, ETH Zurich, and the University of Zurich, among others.
The stipends differ slightly depending on the cost of living: ranging from $28,000-$35,000 per year (the stipend is subject to US tax). This stipend is more than sufficient to fully cover your costs of living, and have spare cash on hand.
Yes, all host institutions offer comprehensive health insurance. You will be informed about the details after receiving a nomination.
Program participants are responsible for travel arrangements and costs.
Once you accept an offer, the host institution will provide you with the visa documentation. Depending on the institution, it will be either the (I-20 form) F-1 or the (DS-2019 form) J-1. The process involves visiting the US Embassy in Warsaw or the US Consulate in Krakow for an interview with the Consul. You will receive all the necessary information from the program coordinator. You are responsible for covering the costs associated with processing the visa application and SEVIS fee.
The host institutions do not offer housing, and grantees are responsible for arranging their own accommodation. Nevertheless, each host institution has a robust support system in place to help incoming grantees choose suitable housing, often in the form of shared apartments. If you seek assistance, you should encounter no difficulties in locating suitable housing. The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation even provides the option of moving into apartments exclusively leased for BioLAB grantees.
Your spouse can apply for an F-2 or J-2 visa to accompany you during your stay in the US. While it is possible for a spouse with a J-2 visa to obtain a work permit (F-2 visa holders are not allowed to work in the US), please note that this process can be time-consuming and challenging. It’s important to keep in mind that your primary commitment should be your work, and the presence of your spouse should not significantly impact it. Additionally, you will be responsible for arranging housing that can accommodate both you and your spouse independently.
This program offers you a distinctive research opportunity as a grantee. You will be treated on par with graduate students, and the expectations regarding productivity will be the same. Although there is no fixed time requirement for your laboratory work, you are expected to work diligently to meet your objectives. Similar to other graduate students, there may be occasions when you’ll need to work in the evenings and occasionally on weekends. This dedication is ultimately for the benefit of your training and education, so it’s important to be prepared for such commitments. If you are hesitant about this level of commitment, it is advisable not to apply to the program.
There are no designated vacation days, but national holidays provide opportunities for travel, etc. If you manage your time efficiently and make additional efforts to make up for it, it is typically feasible to arrange brief breaks that will enable you to explore the country and meet up with friends at other locations.
Unfortunately, that’s not the case. The primary consideration is the compatibility with a project. For example, if you specialize in ‘dry’ bioinformatics, but there are no projects available in this area, you may not receive an offer to join the program. Additionally, when multiple exceptional candidates apply for specific projects, the mentor will choose one, which may not leave a suitable alternative for others. This underscores the importance of the interview process to assess your flexibility.
No, there are no specific provisions. However, your health condition should not be such that it will hinder your ability to work in the laboratory. Each institution has resources available to provide assistance, but there are no arrangements for extended medical leave. While such situations are uncommon, we will strive to be flexible. Nevertheless, if your health is at risk, it may be necessary for you to return to Poland for proper medical attention. Although you may not feel compelled to disclose your health condition during the interview, the Selection Committee is prepared to offer guidance if you choose to discuss it. You will be required to provide details confidentially to our Student Health Centers prior to enrollment.
Several projects receive a high number of applications each year. Therefore, it’s important to be open to flexibility, as there will likely be equally suitable alternatives available to you. You may have broad interests in various research areas or be particularly interested in acquiring new techniques. This is the purpose of the interview process, providing an opportunity to explore your options. If you have strong preferences against certain areas, we understand and respect that, but please be aware that it may limit your opportunities.
Testimonials
Please visit Polish version of this website to read testimonials from BioLAB Program alumni.
Webinar recordings
The YouTube playlist below contains recordings of information webinars and Q&A with alumni of the Program. We encourage you to listen to learn more practical information about the BioLAB Program.
FulbrightTalks Podcast
Listen to the stories of BioLAB Program alumni to get inspired and learn about their experience in the program and the development opportunities it offers. Podcast is available in Polish only.
Contact Program coordinator
Patrycja Donaburska
Senior Program Specialist, Head of the BioLAB Program
