About Project SEED

Project SEED was established by the American Chemical Society in 1968 to give high school students the opportunity to explore a career in the sciences and be involved in research at industries and universities. The Indianapolis program began in 1973 at the IU School of Medicine.

Photo The Indiana Section Project SEED program is the American Chemical Society 2020 ChemLuminary Award recipient.
Photo Project SEED students at the 2019 Poster Session, IU School of Medicine.
Photo     2019 Project SEED interns that interned at the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI).
Photo Project SEED students receiving the 2010 ChemLuminary Award,  Butler University.              
Photo Michael Ashmore (SEED '09) with AIT Laboratories CEO Michael Evans & Preceptor Tim Dahn
Photo Project SEED 2010
Photo Kyle Torain (SEED '08) with Dr. Joseph Bidwell and Dr. Jim McAteer

55 years:  over half a century of the high school science research internship since 1968

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The Indianapolis Project SEED Committee welcomes you as we celebrate 51 since the American Chemical Society started Project SEED in 1968. The Indianapolis program started in 1972 providing area high school students the opportunity to explore scientific research.   

This website is designed for high school students wanting to experience hands-on science in a real life science laboratory in a university or industry environment. Information on this website only relates to the Indianapolis Project SEED program sponsored by the American Chemical Society Indiana Section.

The application page for the Indy Project SEED is on the application tab above or click here.

For information about other opportunities and outreach programs available through the ACS Indiana Section please visit www.acsindiana.org.

About Project SEED

Project SEED was established in 1968 by the American Chemical Society as a means to provide students the opportunity to explore a career in science. SEED is an acronym for: Summer Experience for the Economically Disadvantaged.  To encourage students from low income families to devote a summer to being a real life professional laboratory setting, a stipend is provided to free up the families from financial concern.  To this day, students whose family income is under 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines receive a stipend of $3,200.00 for their participation.

If you are a high school student interested in being a summer research intern but your family income is above the guidelines, you may apply to the Indianapolis Project STEM at www.IndyProjectSTEM.org  

Program Basics:  Students are accepted into the program based on their high school grade transcripts (one year of chemistry is mandatory), written essays, and teacher recommendations.

Through an interview process, students are matched with research preceptors who host and mentor them in their labs. As a training ground for future careers, it is a full time experience for the students, Monday-Friday, 8 hours a day.

 History.   The Indianapolis Program started in 1972 with Professor Edwin Harper (retired) of the Indiana University School of Medicine as an educational outreach of the Indiana Section of the American Chemical Society. In addition to ACS membership professionals, many local companies have supported the Indianapolis SEED program over the years, especially Eli Lilly & Co., Dow Agro, Mays Chemical, and AIT Laboratories.

Thank you, IUPUI School of Science. The IUPUI School of Science has been central to the success of Project SEED since its founding in 1972 as professors from their faculty joined the organizing committee to start the program. We are thankful to Dr. Partha Basu, Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology,  and numerous faculty and staff who partner with the American Chemical Society Indiana Section in providing a geographical and an administrative support center for Project SEED to this day.

 In addition to their financial support and the volunteer mentorship of so many of their research professors, they also help with the administration of a scholarship for students who have participated in this outstanding research program. Lindsay Heinzman, Executive Director of Development & Alumni Affairs, coordinates with the IU Foundation to facilitate donations to the Indianapolis Project SEED Fund (click here). Joe Thompson and Sarah Shroyer from the Office of the Dean every year provide administrative support to not only to the students in the summer research program but also to those who continue their studies at IUPUI.

Thank you, CTSI.  The Indianapolis Project SEED program is very thankful to the Indiana CTSI – Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute for its support for the future scientists who intern with the program since 2009. The research consortium under the leadership of Dr.  Sharon Moe (MD) and Dr. Sarah Wiehe (MD),  is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and supports many scientific research efforts across the state of Indiana.  The Indiana CTSI K-12 STEM Program supports Project SEED in addition to other programs that serve K-12 Teachers and Students. 

The Indiana CTSI is funded in part by an award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and operates as a partnership of the IU School of Medicine, IU-Bloomington, IUPUI, Purdue University and the University of Notre Dame. The overarching goal of the Indiana CTSI is to improve the health of people throughout the state of Indiana by supporting research, education and community outreach. 

Thank you sponsors!

Project SEED embodies the spirit of volunteerism and community support. The 2017 program volunteers registered over 25,000 hours of public service. Each one of our contributors – whether individual or corporate – is indispensable to the success of the program.

The Indianapolis Project SEED program is forever grateful to the leadership of James ‘Jim’ McAteer (PhD) and Rosanne 'Rosie' Bonjouklian (PhD) who have each served the program over 30 years and counting. Dr. McAteer, Professor of Anatomy from the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the Indiana University School of Medicine, recruits, trains, and coordinates the contribution of our talented research professionals who volunteer their time in mentoring the students we serve.   

Lastly, our program is forever grateful to the leadership of James ‘Jim’ McAteer (PhD) and Rosanne 'Rosie' Bonjouklian (PhD) who have each served the program over 30 years and counting.  Dr. McAteer, Professor of Anatomy from the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the Indiana University School of Medicine, recruits, trains, and coordinates the contribution of our talented research professionals who volunteer their time in mentoring the students we serve.

Dr. Bonjouklian hosted students in her research lab before she retired as a Medicinal Chemist from Eli Lilly & Co. She has had a lifelong distinguished career of public service - from her early days in Africa with the Peace Corps, to serving Project SEED in many capacities over the years. Most significantly, she established the Project SEED Scholarship with the IUPUI School of Science, enabling our program to serve students beyond their summer research experience into their college education and professional training.

And to the many research scientists from the IU School of Medicine, the IUPUI School of Science, and other IUPUI Schools, to the many other individuals not mentioned by name - but whose contributions nonetheless are indispensable to the success of our program - we offer our most sincere gratitude. Thank YOU!