Fleming Scholars

All complete applications received by the appointed deadline are reviewed by members of the selection committee. After this initial review, the committee meets to select the top 25 applicants, who are invited to come to OMRF for interviews.

Following the interviews, the selection committee selects as many scholars as there are mentors available. Three or four alternates are named as well. Final results will be available following the interviews. (FAQs list)

WHAT do Fleming Scholars do?

Fleming scholars work in state-of-the-art biomedical research laboratories on individual projects and are supervised by senior members of the OMRF scientific staff. Every effort is made to assign scholars to laboratories conducting research of particular interest to them. The scholars attend weekly seminars by OMRF scientists. Scholars also attend various social events as a group (see “WHAT about fun stuff?” below).

On the final day of the program, the scholars give formal scientific seminars outlining the findings of their projects. Parents, teachers, OMRF staff and other guests are invited to attend these seminars.

Each scholar also writes a scientific paper summarizing his/her summer project. Those papers are published online each year and are available for download. (FAQs list)

WHEN does the program start?

Fleming Scholars work at OMRF for eight weeks in the months of June and July. Their first day is the Sunday after Memorial Day which includes an orientation for all scholars, whether or not they live in the OMRF-provided housing. (FAQs list)

WHERE do scholars live?

Housing is provided to scholars who live outside the Oklahoma City metro area. This gated complex located near OMRF is arranged like dormitories, and scholars are assigned in groups of three or four per unit. (FAQs list)

WHAT about transportation?

OMRF does not provide transportation to and from work. Group transportation is provided to some social events, but most often, scholars are responsible for their own transportation. (FAQs list)

WHAT about meals?

Breakfast is provided at no cost to all scholars every weekday morning in the OMRF Cafe. Otherwise, scholars are responsible for their own meals. Lunches may be purchased in the OMRF Cafe at the employee discount, which averages less than $5.00 per meal. Evening meals are the responsibility of each scholar, with the exception of the meals provided at social events. (FAQs list)

WHAT do scholars wear?

As a safety precaution, scholars should wear long pants and closed-toed shoes to work. Jeans are acceptable, as are athletic shoes. Lab work can be messy so scholars must dress appropriately and avoid wearing torn clothes, dangling jewelry, etc. Lab coats will be provided.

DO scholars have to commit to the full eight weeks?

YES! The Fleming Scholar Program is rigorous and intense. Eight weeks is quite a short time to initiate—and complete—a detailed scientific project. In fact, many scholars find it necessary to return to OMRF in the weeks following the program in order to complete their experiments and put the finishing touches on their papers. An absence of even a few days can make it difficult for a scholar to catch up before the program ends. Therefore, scholars are required to commit in advance to attendance for the entire eight weeks of the program. (FAQs list)

MAY a person apply again if not selected the first time?

As long as the applicant meets the eligibility requirements for the program, he/she may apply to the program for as many years as desired. So, from senior year (high school) to junior year (college), candidates may conceivably apply once each year. Many scholars have been selected on their second or even third try, so we encourage anyone who is unsuccessful the first time to apply again. (FAQs list)

HOW many times can someone be a Fleming scholar?

Being a Fleming Scholar is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The Fleming Scholar Program was established with the purpose of affording this unique chance to as many gifted science-minded students as possible. We feel it is important to allow all who qualify and are interested this possibility. (FAQs list)

WHERE do scholars go for help?

The Human Resources Department is available to provide any assistance. A Resident Assistant (RA) lives on-site at the provided housing and can help with any housing issues. Scholars are expected to maintain the utmost professionalism at all times, as are all OMRF employees. This opportunity is full of fun, but ultimately it is a job. (FAQs list)

WHEN do scholars get paid?

Scholars are paid the last working day of each month. The total stipend of $3,000 is disbursed in two paychecks. (FAQs list)

WHAT about fun stuff?

While the work is challenging and even, on occasion, overwhelming, there is still plenty of fun associated with the Fleming Scholar Program. Scholars are invited into the home of OMRF’s President for dinner and socializing. Other group activities are often arranged for the scholars, such as cultural and other social events. (FAQs list)

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