Teen Leaders
Applications for the 2025-26 class will open Jan. 1, 2025.
OMRF Teen Leaders Program
OMRF offers a premier teen leadership program to Oklahoma high school students who want to gain a deeper understanding of supporting their communities, develop hands-on leadership skills, learn how OMRF operates, and how they can become advocates for research and improving human health.
About the Program
OMRF’s Teen Leaders Program develops Oklahoma high school sophomores, juniors and seniors leadership skills and expands the reach of OMRF to the next generation.
Participants meet monthly at OMRF during the school year and are chosen through an application and interview process to achieve the following:
- Develop and sustain long-term relationships between participants and OMRF.
- Provide a deeper knowledge of the nonprofit sector, research centers and how medical research works.
- Learn about careers in biomedical research and clinical work.
- Tour OMRF labs and core facilities.
- Meet OMRF and scientific leaders.
- In the spring, participants will develop an advocacy and fundraising project with supervision and assistance from OMRF Philanthropy staff.
At the program’s completion, students are invited to attend a program-closing celebration with family in attendance.
Session Dates and Location
OMRF Teen Leaders meets six times, generally from 1:30-4 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month from September to April at OMRF. The program does not meet in December. See the calendar tab for program dates.
Eligibility
- Grade in school: Students who will be in their sophomore, junior or senior year of high school during the program year.
- GPA: No specific GPA is required; however, students must be in good standing.
- Residency: Students must attend a school in Oklahoma.
- Cost: Free to participants. The Teen Leaders program is funded by OMRF.
Transportation
All participants are responsible for their own transportation to OMRF Teen Leaders sessions and/or events.
Application
Requirements: Online Application and a completed Commitment Form (see below).
- Applications must be completed and submitted online by date coming soon.
- Applications received by the deadline will be reviewed by the OMRF Teen Leaders Selection Committee. Committee members will evaluate many factors including, but not limited to, applications and recommendations. Finalists will then be asked to schedule a brief, in-person interview at OMRF. Those selected for an interview will be notified by date coming soon.
- Applicants will be notified by date coming soon, whether or not they have been selected for the program.
- Typically, no more than three students from the same school may be admitted to the same class.
Commitment Form: The applicant, parent(s)/guardian(s), and student’s school principal/administrator must review and sign the Commitment Form and submit it to OMRF via USPS or email to the address below.
Please submit any printed materials to:
OMRF Teen Leaders
c/o OMRF Philanthropy Office
825 NE 13th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
405-271-8137
omrfteenleadership@omrf.org
