EXITO
Ignite your future in health research
Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of those most in need? At the UIC College of Applied Health Sciences (AHS), we believe the path to building stronger, healthier communities starts by investing in the next generation of health leaders — you.
The EXITO Program (Enhancing Cross-disciplinary Innovation and Training Opportunities) is a transformative, three-year research training experience for AHS undergraduate students from underserved and historically marginalized communities. Through mentorship, hands-on research and academic support, EXITO equips you to become a confident, skilled scholar ready to tackle the nation’s most pressing health disparities.
CTAs
Current AHS student? Go Inside AHS to apply!
Why choose EXITO?
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Lead research
that directly addresses community health challenges
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Build a strong identity
as a future health professional
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Prepare
for graduate or professional school
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Join a supportive network
of mentors, faculty and peers
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Get paid to conduct research
in nationally recognized labs
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Present your work
at conferences and publish scholarly findings
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Receive up to $5,000 per year
in tuition support
Igniting success
We prepare undergraduate students to lead the transformation of health and social systems as scholars, scientists and community advocates. Our goal is to ignite your success—and in doing so, help create a more just, equitable and healthy future for all.
Learn more about EXITO by reading a feature story published in the winter 2025 issue of UIC Applied Health Sciences Magazine.
Research Learning Communities
Research Learning Communities (RLCs) are interdisciplinary research teams that provide EXITO Fellows with hands-on experience in AHS faculty-led labs. Each RLC is grounded in real-world, externally funded projects and offers structured mentorship, collaborative training and opportunities for students to contribute meaningfully to health research. These labs help students build scientific skills, present at conferences and explore graduate pathways in the health sciences.
Research Learning Communities
The EXITO mission
The EXITO mission
We prepare undergraduate students to lead the transformation of health and social systems as scholars, scientists and community advocates. Our goal is to ignite your success — and in doing so, help create a more just, equitable and healthy future for all.
