Global Research Opportunity: Virtual Research Traineeship 2026

YC TeamNovember 9, 20252 Mins read32

STEM for Development is pleased to announce the Virtual Research Traineeship 2026, a fully virtual, year-long international research training program. This initiative is a joint partnership between STEM for Development and The RNA Institute, University at Albany (SUNY), supported by the Talent Mobility Fund.

The program aims to build research capacity and provide professional development opportunities for talented students from Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Through mentored, independent bioinformatics research, participants will gain advanced technical and academic skills to prepare for future graduate studies and careers in international research environments.

Program Details

Duration: January – December 2026

Time Commitment: 15–20 hours per week

Format: Fully virtual

Number of Participants: Eight selected students

Throughout the year, participants will engage in virtual workshops, independent research projects, and mentorship sessions with RNA Institute faculty and STEM for Development professionals.

Program Focus

The traineeship is designed to strengthen participants’ skills in:

Bioinformatics research and data analysis
R programming and command-line tools
Scientific communication and academic writing
Research presentation and visualization
Graduate school preparation and application strategy

Participants will conduct mentored research under RNA Institute faculty, supported by postdoctoral mentors and STEM for Development coordinators.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Be a current undergraduate or Master’s student, or a recent graduate (within 24 months) in a STEM field.
Be a citizen of a Low- or Middle-Income Country (LMIC) as classified by the OECD.
Demonstrate fluency in English and access to a reliable internet connection.
Have prior experience with R programming, command-line tools, or bioinformatics.
Preference will be given to applicants with prior coursework or experience in molecular biology, data-driven research, or computational science.

Benefits of the Virtual Research Traineeship

Selected participants will receive:

Mentored, independent research experience with RNA Institute faculty.
Advanced training in bioinformatics, R programming, and data interpretation.
An Official Certificate of Completion and Digital Badge in Advanced Research and Graduate Readiness.
Access to structured workshops on scientific writing, presentation, and leadership.
Personalized guidance on applying to U.S. graduate programs.
A supportive, international network of peers and mentors.

Program Structure

The Virtual Research Traineeship follows a three-phase structure over one year:

Spring (January – May):
Integration into assigned research labs, foundational workshops in academic writing and scientific communication.
Summer (June – July):
Continued virtual research and leadership development; participants present their work virtually at an RNA Institute event.
Fall (August – December):
Graduate school preparation including statement editing, mock interviews, and targeted application guidance.

Key Dates

Application Deadline: November 23, 2025 (11:59 PM GMT)

Interviews: Late November to early December 2025

Final Selection: Mid-December 2025

Program Start: January 2026

Application Requirements

A complete application must include:

Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Unofficial transcript
One reference letter (from a professor or mentor)
Statement of Interest (350–400 words) describing:

Motivation for applying
Research and technical experience
Future goals and how the program aligns with them

The Virtual Research Traineeship 2026 offers a rare opportunity for early-career scientists from LMICs to gain hands-on research experience, develop critical scientific skills, and receive mentorship from globally recognized faculty. Graduates emerge prepared for competitive international graduate programs and careers in research, bioinformatics, and data science.