Salk Institute empowers future scientists with Prebys Foundation support

May 29, 2025

Salk Institute empowers future scientists with Prebys Foundation support

May 29, 2025

LA JOLLA—The Salk Institute will receive a generous gift from the Prebys Foundation as part of a rapid-response funding initiative to safeguard San Diego’s biomedical research ecosystem. This funding will support three years of Salk’s five cornerstone education pipeline and training programs: the Heithoff-Brody High School Summer Scholars, Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), Salk Edge Program, Discover Symposium, and Rising Stars Symposium.

“This support from the Prebys Foundation affirms the importance of nurturing the next generation of scientific leaders,” says Gerald Joyce, Salk Institute president. “We are grateful for this investment, which ensures our ability to provide transformative training experiences to students and early-career scientists, from high school students to postdoctoral trainees.”

The funded programs span the entire STEM education pipeline:

• Heithoff-Brody High School Summer Scholars Program: An eight-week, paid summer internship that introduces high school students to laboratory research, providing early mentorship and exposure to real-world science.
• Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF): A fully paid, 10-week internship offering college undergraduates immersive biomedical research experience, mentorship, and professional development.
• Salk Edge Program: A two-week intensive training for graduate students on emerging technologies, complemented by pilot grants that allow students to implement what they’ve learned back in their home labs.
• Discover Symposium: A unique platform for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to present their work, network with potential mentors, and explore interdisciplinary collaborations at Salk.
• Rising Stars Symposium: A recognition and recruitment initiative for outstanding postdoctoral scholars, designed to spotlight talent and foster faculty development pathways.

Salk’s education pipeline programs are rooted in the Institute’s mission to drive high-impact science, which requires motivated and well-trained researchers at all levels. These programs have consistently opened doors for students from all backgrounds, offering them unparalleled access to mentorship, resources, and world-class science.

For more information about Salk’s education pipeline and training programs, including application information, please visit www.salk.edu/research-and-training-opportunities.