SMART (Bobbie Cates Hicks Science and Medicine Academic Research Training) Program

Q: How much funding does SMART (Bobbie Cates Hicks Science and Medicine Academic Research Training) Program provide?

The listing does not state a funding amount. Check the funder's announcement for specifics.

Q: When is the deadline for SMART (Bobbie Cates Hicks Science and Medicine Academic Research Training) Program?

The funder has not published the next deadline; based on past cycles it is expected around February.

Q: Who is eligible for SMART (Bobbie Cates Hicks Science and Medicine Academic Research Training) Program?

Eligible applicants: High school seniors only; Academically advanced students; Residents of served school districts.

Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana

Foundation Annual STEM Education Grants Grants for Science Research Grants for Youth Programs

Funding Amount

Not stated

Deadline

Expected ~February

Based on past cycles

Grant Type

Foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle: Annual
Current deadline: February 28, 2027
Tracked since: April 2026

Deadlines typically fall in: February

From the program guidelines: “on February 29 (annual deadline)”

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

High school seniors only
Academically advanced students
Residents of served school districts

Other requirements

Career interest in medicine, biomedical research, or biomedical engineering

Overview

SMART Program Overview

Program Name: Bobbie Cates Hicks Science and Medicine Academic Research Training (SMART) Program

Funder: Biomedical Research Foundation of Louisiana (BRF), in partnership with LSU Health Shreveport and Caddo, Bossier, and DeSoto parish school boards

Geographic Scope: North Louisiana (Shreveport area); serves high school seniors from Caddo, Bossier, and DeSoto parishes

Program Description

Yearlong research experience with faculty investigators at LSU Health Shreveport
Serves 8-12 academically advanced high school seniors annually
Focus areas: medicine, biomedical research, biomedical engineering

Eligibility Requirements

High school seniors only
Academically advanced students
Career interest in medicine, biomedical research, or biomedical engineering
Residents of served school districts

Program Outcomes

100% of surveyed graduates attended or are attending college
80%+ majored in or have majored in science or health-related disciplines
81% attended or plan to attend postgraduate institutions
Program has graduated 249 students over 27 years

Funding Sources

BRF funding and program coordination since inception
Supported by donors including: Bobbie Cates Hicks (late), Bruce J. Heim Foundation, Community Foundation of North Louisiana (Give for Good donors and William C. Woolf Fund), Magale Foundation

Contact Information

Website: www.lsuhs.edu/research/smart-program
BRF Website: www.brfla.org/edventures

Related Programs

BRF also supports STEM education through:

Biotechnology Magnet Academy (BTA) at Southwood High School (~200 participants)
BioStart senior research laboratory internships at LSU Health Shreveport
College Navigator at BTA
Clinical Lab course at Southwood
FIRST Robotics program

How to Apply

Deadline: Apply by 4:00 p.m. on February 29 (annual deadline)
Eligibility Check: Confirm you meet requirements (high school senior, academically advanced, career interest in medicine/biomedical fields)
Application Submission: Apply through official program portal
Information Source: Visit www.lsuhs.edu/research/smart-program for eligibility requirements and application instructions

Required Information

Academic achievement records
Career interest statement (medicine, biomedical research, or biomedical engineering)
School district residency verification

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What Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2024 — the most recent filing with itemized grants

Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana reported $58K in grants for 2025 as a total without an itemized list; the grant details below are from 2024, its most recent itemized filing.

Grants in 2024: 1
Total given: $600K
Median grant: $600K