School2Lab — From Classroom Curiosity to Research

The School2Lab program is an NCI‑sponsored, research-intensive‑ hosted at Howard University, with leadership and major participation from the Johns Hopkins University, Sibley Memorial Hospital. It is part of Howard’s strategic initiative to expand S.T.E.M.M. pathways, cancer research training, and provide research opportunities for rising junior and senior high school students across the District of Columbia –Maryland–Virginia region. 

School2Lab seeks to cultivate high-achieving high school students (rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders) from low-income families by providing early exposure to physical and biomedical research. Scholars must demonstrate strong academic potential and be highly motivated to succeed. Applicants must also meet the following criteria: 

1. Scholars must come from households with collective incomes that do not exceed 200% of the federal poverty limit and who are overcoming additional challenges. This amount is normalized by household size. Please see the table in the application for financial eligibility based on family size.  
2. Scholars must also meet at least ONE of the following other eligibility criteria: 
   • First-generation student to attend a four-year college 
   • Attends a high school where the majority of students qualify for Free and Reduced Meals (FARM) Program or resides in a location that is designated within the zoning area of an eligible school. 
   • Student has experienced a major obstacle that could impede educational achievement. For example, the student could have experienced a form of homelessness, including not having a stable home residence, or come from a single parent household or a household where a family member has dealt with a major health challenge, incarceration, or addiction.