doors-btci-lg-2024-na-white-color-accents
2023 Scholars Group Photo

About the Program

The BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute (BTC Institute) is collaborating with Promega to provide D.O.O.R.S. Scholarships to 10 talented undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds. Each scholarship recipient (Scholar) will receive:

  • A $5,000 Scholarship, paid directly to the Scholar's educational institution
  • A Mentorship Program with a professional from the biotech industry, one-on-one and group sessions
  • Participation in D.O.O.R.S. Scholar's Day, an in-person event at the BTCI / Promega campus in Madison, WI, in 2025

What is D.O.O.R.S.?

D.O.O.R.S. (Diversification Of Our Research Scientists) is a Mentorship and Scholarship Program, started in 2020, which aims to recognize and empower 10 undergraduate students in life science every year that come from underrepresented backgrounds.

Mentorship Program
Each recipient will be assigned a mentor and participate in individual and group mentorship sessions that include constructive feedback on their experimental design and research, providing scientific posters and/or white papers, and professional/career development.
Scholar's Day
Recipients will be invited to participate in D.O.O.R.S. Scholar's Day in 2025, which includes a trip to the BTCI / Promega campus in Madison, WI and an opportunity to meet with industry leaders, scientists and in-person networking opportunities.
Lucas Lisondo 2023 DOORS Scholar
quote-marks-il-2024-na

There are always ways to connect your curiosity to a corresponding science. Science can never be boring, because there's a different science for every different curiosity.

Lucas Lisondo, 2023 D.O.O.R.S. Scholar

University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez

Qualifications to Apply

Please contact us with any questions
Contact D.O.O.R.S.

Requirements:

  • For undergraduate students from an underrepresented background
  • Pursuing a biotechnology-related major with the hopes of continuing in that career
  • Recipients will agree to partner with Promega to share information on their research and collaborate on projects such as scientific posters, white papers, webinars, blog posts or other opportunities.

Components:

  • Provide a personal statement
  • Provide a short summary of the student’s current or previous contribution to a biomedical research project
  • Provide a recommendation from a professor, instructor, or lab administrator at their college or university that can speak to their eligibility for the program

Apply

Applications for the 2024 DOORS Scholarship are closed.

Participants must complete an application and provide the following details:

Graduation Cap Icon
Confirm your academic
sponsor
Microscope Icon
Confirm your biotechnology-related major
Application Icon
Submit application by
September 30th
Recipients Icon
Recipients notified by
November 4th
*Please include your personal statement and letter of recommendation in your application.*

Terms & Conditions

Eligibility

Members of the following communities are strongly encouraged to apply:

  • Individuals from under-represented racial/ethnic backgrounds, including but not limited to: Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Filipino, Hmong or Vietnamese, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

  • Individuals with disabilities, including but not limited to physical, sensory, cognitive, or developmental impairments.

Applicants must demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing a career in a life science related field. 

The BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute (BTCI) and Promega Corporation (Promega) “Diversification of Our Research Scientists (D.O.O.R.S.) Award” is a $5,000 scholarship and mentorship program available to individuals who are at least 18 years old that are currently involved in life science research activities and enrolled in a life sciences undergraduate program in an educational institution, including, but not limited to: universities, community colleges, career colleges, technical colleges, or others. Eligible individuals are not required to buy Promega products or pay any fees to participate. Employees of the BTCI or Promega and members of the immediate families of such employees are not eligible. Employees of authorized Promega distributors are not eligible. The D.O.O.R.S. Award is available for students enrolled in undergraduate programs in institutions based in the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico. This award is void where prohibited by law.
Mission Statement

The BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute (BTCI) is a nonprofit, independent organization which shares its campus with Promega Corporation. BTCI exists to offer training in biotechnology and biopharmaceutical manufacturing; support the development of high technology industries; facilitate science, technology, nature discovery and arts programs for the youth; and enable community organizations to offer educational and cultural programs. The goal of the Diversification of Our Research Scientists (D.O.O.R.S) Scholarship, presented by BTCI in partnership with Promega, is to recognize and empower underrepresented students in STEM.

Learn More About BTCI
Letter D door with Amy Prevost peeking through
Entry Instructions

Deadline to enter is Monday, September 30th 2024, 11:59pm CDT. Winners will be notified no later than the week of November 4, 2024. The following illustrates the information the applicant will be asked when submitting entry to the award program.

  • Contact Information: First name, last name, birthdate, email address, telephone, job/role, institute, major, street address, city, state/province (as applicable), postal code/ZIP, country, race/ethnicity.
  • Academic Reference Letter: To come from a professor, instructor, or lab administrator at applicant’s college or university that can speak to the applicant’s role in lab, the applicant’s interest in life sciences, and why they deserve the DOORS Award. Recommendations should be one paragraph in length.
  • Essay Question: “In 800 words or less, please provide a personal statement discussing applicant’s desire to pursue a career in biotechnology/life sciences. Please give us an understanding of what both the scholarship and mentorship opportunities would mean for the applicant and provide examples. Please also explain how the applicant plans to help contribute to promoting diversity in the sciences as they develop their career.”
  • Abstract: “In 500 words or less, please provide a brief abstract of a research project the applicant has been, is, or will be involved in, during their current undergraduate program. Make sure to explain the project’s goals and applicant’s specific contribution working with the research team.”
Review Process and Awards

Recipients Will Receive:

  • A $5,000 USD scholarship to be used to pay for tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at the recipients’ educational institution, or for fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses at the educational institution.
  • Recipients will participate in Promega mentorship sessions that include constructive feedback on their experimental design and research, providing scientific posters and/or white papers, and professional/career development.

Awards Acceptance:

By accepting the DOORS Award, the applicant agrees to share information or data collected for marketing or commercial purposes. Specifically, winners agree to:

  • Share stories from their research with BTCI and subsequently Promega in the months following them receiving the scholarship award.
  • Support promotional activities at BTCI or Promega’s request for 12 months following accepting the award, which could include, but is not limited to, interviews, webinar presentations, website story features, videos, photoshoots, blogging, data sharing, and/or presenting at conferences or seminars. This content will be shared on the BTCI website (https://www.btci.org/), Promega website (www.promega.com), the Promega blog (www.promegaconnections.com) and Promega social media accounts including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
  • Recipients must acknowledge BTCI and Promega in scientific publication(s) authored by the award recipient related to the research performed and supported by the award and are required to participate in hosted mentorship sessions