CUSP students at lunch during the annual 2024 ASBH Conference.

Cross-Institutional Undergraduate Sponsorship Program (CUSP) in Bioethics

The Cross-Institutional Undergraduate Sponsorship Program (CUSP) in Bioethics provides promising undergraduate students with a year-long mentorship opportunity and financial support to attend the annual American Society for Bioethics & Humanities (ASBH) conference.

Mentorship is an important aspect of the CUSP program. CUSP pairs selected students with bioethics mentors from different universities and health systems. These mentoring relationships are complemented by (i) a pre-conference workshop led by an accomplished group of cross-institutional experts, (ii) networking opportunities, both amongst peers and with bioethics professionals, and (iii) further opportunities to attend bioethics events.

In addition to this mentorship opportunity, recipients will receive financial support to attend this year's American Society for Bioethics & Humanities (ASBH) conference in Portland, Oregon from October 22-25, 2025. CUSP will provide the following for selected students: (i) conference registration, (ii) up to $500 in travel costs to Portland, (iii) shared near the conference and (iv) some meals.

Since its inception in 2021, the CUSP program has mentored and supported over 60 students from a broad range of institutions and academic disciplines. In post-conference surveys of CUSP alumni, alumni state that the experience positively impacted their academic journeys, expanded their professional networks and helped them become more competitive for other opportunities. Given the demonstrated value and importance of the ASBH conference, several alumni have returned to a subsequent ASBH conference to present their bioethics research. Alumni of the program have also gone on to intern or work in bioethics, including joining the Biomedical Ethics Program at the Mayo Clinic, the Department of Bioethics at the National Institutes for Health and the Clinical Ethics Program at University Health Texas. They have also been accepted to competitive postgraduate degree programs at universities such as Emory University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Texas Medical Branch. Furthermore, alumni have published articles in peer-reviewed academic journals such as the JCO Oncology Practice and the Journal of Medical Ethics, as well as notable blogs such as Bioethics Today and Harvard Law School’s The Bill of Health. Additionally, 100% of alumni surveyed stated that they had a positive overall experience with CUSP.

Kaia Prichett, 2024 CUSP Student

“Having a dedicated mentor and structured networking events made the experience truly enriching. This was a highlight because it opened doors to conversations and professional connections that are invaluable for my career path.”



Application Process

Current undergraduate students, from any major and any university in North America, are eligible to apply.  According to recent research, the field of bioethics in North America is not representative of the general population, and is even less representative than other academic disciplines ( Pierson et al.,2024).  In an effort to expand representativeness in the next-generation of bioethicists, we are particularly interested in providing support for undergraduate students that are historically underrepresented in bioethics (e.g., BIPOC, disabled students, and first-generation students), however, we welcome applications from candidates of all demographics. We want to strengthen pathways into the field of bioethics, increasing accessibility for all.   

Applications will be competitively reviewed on a rolling-basis by an interdisciplinary, cross-institutional committee. If you know of any students who may be interested in this program, please share this website! If you have any questions, please email mabioethics@emory.edu. 

We are not currently accepting applications for the 2025 CUSP program. We plan to accept these applications sometime in Summer 2025. Please check the website regularly for updates.

Program History

This student sponsorship program was founded in 2021 by Gerard Vong and Joanna Young from the Emory University Center for Ethics. The program has significantly evolved over the last 4 years. It was originally singularly funded by the Emory University Center for Ethics and as the ASBH conference in 2021 was virtual, it funded registrations for virtual attendance. In 2023, when Gerard Vong was on academic sabbatical, it was led by Laura Bishop (Georgetown University) and Joanna Young. It is now cross-institutionally funded by several prestigious centers, organizations and institutions and provides financial support to students to attend the annual ASBH conference in-person. The additional funding has allowed CUSP to sponsor more students. In 2024, CUSP mentored and fully funded 13 students.  We have also expanded our mentorship and networking opportunities for the students to include (i) a pre-conference workshop, (ii) one-to-one and group mentorship (iii) networking events and (iv) access to educational events and special bioethics opportunities.

The program’s leadership has presented at academic conferences about the CUSP program. Most recently, Gerard Vong presented at the 2024 Society for Ethics Across the Curriculum conference.

Our Sponsors

The program has been previously funded by Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Emory University Center for Ethics, Georgetown University Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Greenwall Foundation, Harvard Medical School Center for Bioethics,  Saint Louis University Albert Gnaegi Center for Health Care Ethics, Stanford University Center for Biomedical Ethics, University of Colorado Center for Bioethics and Humanities, and University of Michigan Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine.

We have an increasing number of qualified applicants that apply to the program every year, which is why sponsorship is key to the student’s ability to be able to participate in the program. Each sponsor provides essential support to participants who are committed to grappling with the social and ethical challenges facing healthcare, public health and biomedical sciences. We want to expand representativeness and reach students of varied demographics, especially those who would otherwise not have the opportunity, helping them develop their professional interests in bioethics at the cusp of their academic development.  This is only possible with the support of sponsors. If you are interested in sponsorship options, please email mabioethics@emory.edu.

FAQs

We are looking for applicants that have a demonstrated aptitude for (and interest in) bioethics who will have their specific academic and professional goals furthered by attending the ASBH conference and receiving year-long mentorship.

As we are looking for demonstrated aptitude in bioethics, an academic essay (or self-contained excerpt from such an essay) that focuses on ethical issues related to health, healthcare, public health,  biomedical sciences and/or biomedical research is acceptable.  This submission can be something you have already written (e.g. For a class).

No. However, it is our expectation that sponsored students attend the majority of the conference. If you know at the time of application that you are unable to stay for the entire conference, it would be helpful to make that clear as a note in your application. If you really are unable to participate in a full way for at least the majority of the ASBH Conference during the dates on which it will be held, you, perhaps, ought to wait to apply during another year if possible. Sponsored students are encouraged to attend presentations, network with other conference attendees, spend time in the Exhibit Hall, review books and other publications/materials provided by exhibitors. You also ought to plan to attend the Student Sponsorship Program dinner (typically the 2nd night of the full Conference).

Business casual. Examples of traditional business casual attire include blazers, blouses, dress shirts, dress pants, longer skirts, slacks and/or khakis. Additionally, when packing for an in-person conference, we recommend you check the weather before you go, since you may be outdoors (e.g., to reach the conference from the airport, to walk to find dinner, or to participate in planned conference outings).

Yes. The pre-conference workshop is designed to help sponsored students get the most out of the conference. You are welcome to send questions in advance to be certain your areas of concern are addressed.

No. Students will need some of their own spending money to cover miscellaneous expenses which may include travel to and from accommodation and some meals.  These miscellaneous expenses vary from year to year due to differences in conference city, the distance from the airport to the provided accommodation, and whether or not the student chooses to utilize public or shared transportation.  If the student chooses to utilize only private transportation and sit-down restaurant meals, the cost can be up to a few hundred dollars per student.  A number of meals will be provided to sponsored students (e.g. some meals in the main Exhibit Hall as part of the ASBH Conference, as well as a dinner with the other sponsored students).  If you are selected for sponsorship and foresee these additional costs to be an undue financial burden, please contact mabioethics@emory.edu at least a week before the start of the conference.

No. The program has a limited funds. Financial support for this program is provided by a number of institutions and organizations from across the United States. If there are additional funds, those funds will be used to expand the program and/or sponsor additional students.

The ASBH sponsorship will cover the cost of $50 for one checked bag. If your airline charges a checked bag fee, this means that the student will be responsible for the baggage fee either to or from the ASBH Conference. You will need to pay the baggage fee both directions and then submit the receipt / information for charges up to $50 for reimbursement from the ASBH Student Sponsorship Program after the Conference ends.

It would be wise to have at least some cash (approximately $100) and/or a personal credit card with you on this trip. Some of your meals are not covered and you may have the need for some incidental expenses during the trip or wish to buy a book.

You will be met during the ASBH Conference by some people involved in the ASBH Student Sponsorship Program. While we hope that your assigned mentor may be attending the Conference, not all of the faculty members who volunteer to mentor are able to attend each ASBH meeting. Rest assured, however, the faculty who volunteer to mentor are really great and interested in students. You will have the chance to meet other students, other faculty mentors, and some of the Student Sponsorship Program organizers.

Testimonial

Samantha Chipman

Samantha Chipman was recently featured in an Emory News article that highlights her journey to Emory, her experience with the CUSP program and how she integrates her love of literacy with her passion for advocacy.

Quote from Samantha about her experience with the CUSP program in 2021 - "Thanks to the Student Sponsorship, I was able to join the RACE Affinity Group at ASBH and collaborate on a panel abstract for the 2022 Conference. I was also able to connect to researchers at the Mayo Clinic, and secure a position as a summer Bioethics Graduate Intern. I'm being mentored by Dr. Meagher, and am working on a qualitative project about antimicrobial resistance and discourse analysis in medical textbooks. I'm also co-mentored by Dr. Barwise, and am revising a manuscript I drafted about patients with limited English proficiency with public health ethics. I couldn't be more grateful towards the Sponsored Student program for making this Mayo Clinic opportunity possible."

Samantha Chipman, Loyola University Chicago (graduated 2022), 2021 ASBH Student Sponsorship Award Winner



Student Highlight - Ayannah Lang

Ayannah Lang attended the ASBH conference with our support in 2022.  After completing a Bachelor of Science degree (cum laude) in Biochemistry and Philosophy from Spelman College, she joined the PhD program in Chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. At MIT, she is now a Graduate Diversity Ambassador with the Office of Graduate Education and teaches yoga and meditation classes with MIT Recreation.  She has also co-authored two articles in bioethics, 'Research involving the recently deceased: ethics questions that must be answered' in the Journal of Medical Ethics and 'Billing for Electronic Patient-Physician Communications: An Ethical Analysis' in JCO Oncology Practice.

Ayannah Lang, Spelman College (graduated 2022), 2022 ASBH Student Sponsorship Award Winner

Student Highlight - Caroline Beit

Caroline Beit is a rising senior at Yale University Double Majoring in the History of Science and Medicine and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. This fall, she will be presenting at ASBH after being inspired by all of the fantastic presentations she saw last year thanks to sponsorship from Emory's Bioethics Center. Her presentation will be on "Reimagining the Psych Pool: Ethical Considerations for Undergraduate Participation in Psychological Research."  This summer Caroline is working at Baylor College of Medicine's Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy.

Caroline Beit, Yale University (graduated 2023), 2021 ASBH Student Sponsorship Award Winner

Some of the 2024 CUSP students, alumni, mentors and sponsors at the 26th Annual Conference of the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Some of the 2024 CUSP students, alumni, mentors and sponsors at the 26th Annual Conference of the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Some of the 2024 CUSP students and lead faculty member Dr. Gerard Vong at a conference session at the the 26th Annual Conference of the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities in St. Louis, Missouri.

Some of the 2024 CUSP students and lead faculty member Dr. Gerard Vong at a conference session at the 26th Annual Conference of the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities in St. Louis, Missouri.

Emily Peugh, 2022 CUSP recipient, presenting at the 26th Annual Conference of the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities in St. Louis, Missouri.