NIH ESTEEMED (Enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Educational Diversity) Program

Fall 2025 & Spring 2026 Semester

ESTEEMED is a Freshman-Sophomore Research Training Program. It is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). ESTEEMED Scholars participate in research training while receiving financial support, entry into UTSA research laboratories, mentoring, and many other benefits.

ESTEEMED (Enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Educational Diversity) is a program that prepares you for a career as a PhD-level Biomedical Researcher.

ESTEEMED aims to develop the next generation of U.S. biomedical engineers and scientists. ESTEEMED enhances your undergraduate experience by preparing you for graduate school and a future career in biomedical research.

ESTEEMED is accepting applications from incoming fall 2024 Chemical and Biomedical Engineering freshmen. Check out the ESTEEMED website and apply as soon as possible! https://www.utsa.edu/crts/esteemed/
You are eligible for consideration for ESTEEMED if you:

  • Were in the top 15% of your high school class
  • Are an American Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Have a major or pre-major in Biomedical Engineering or Chemical Engineering
  • Strongly desire to pursue a career as a researcher (and particularly if you desire a Ph.D.)
  • Are from a group that is underrepresented in the sciences:
  • have a disability recognized by UTSA’s Disability Office
  • or are ethnically underrepresented in the sciences (Hispanic, African American, American Pacific Islander, Alaskan)
  • or are financially disadvantaged*

The NIH considers scientists to have come from a disadvantaged background if they meet at least two of the following criteria:

  • Were or currently are homeless, as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
  • Were or currently are in the foster care system, as defined by the Administration for Children and Families
  • Were eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program for two or more years
  • Have/had no parents or legal guardians who completed a bachelor’s degree (see the U.S. Department of Education)
  • Were or currently are eligible for Federal Pell grants
  • Received support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children as a parent or child
  • Grew up in one of the following areas:
  • a U.S. rural area, as designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer or
  • a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-designated Low-Income and Health Professional Shortage Areas (qualifying zip codes are included in the file)
  • Only one of the two possibilities in #7 can be used as a criterion for the disadvantaged background

Please contact Edith James, ESTEEMED Program Coordinator (edith.james@utsa.edu) or Dr. Abu-Lail (Nehal.abu-lail@utsa.edu) if you have any questions.

Award
$6k per semester (Fall and Spring semesters) for the first two Academic Years. $3k for a 5-week summer 2023 "Bootcamp" enrichment program.
College/Department
Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design
Deadline
01/15/2025
Supplemental Questions
  1. Essay: Please note that if you don't have some of the experiences described below, do not worry about it! You are still eligible! *Also please note: you don't need to write huge essays. A few sentences to a large paragraph will work. What we request: 1. High School or College Honors and Awards 2. List of Honors / AP / Dual Credit courses and Grades 3. Clubs and Organizations 4. Leadership Experience 5. STEM Outreach 6. Research Experience 7. What are your education and career goals? 8. What motivates you to pursue the goals mentioned above? 9. What type(s) of research interests you, and why you want to be a biomedical researcher? 10. Please discuss any other relevant information that you feel the Student Selection Committee should take into consideration when assessing your application.
  2. Letter of recommendation #2 from a faculty member (high school or University) or community leader familiar with the applicant. Letter should speak to the applicant's character, integrity, and demonstrated care of others.
  3. Letter of recommendation from a faculty member (high school or University) or community leader familiar with the applicant. Letter should speak to the applicant's character, integrity, and demonstrated care of others.
  4. High School transcript