Support the Next Generation of Peruvian Scientists: Help Fund 14 REPU Mentees + Our Alumni Fund

Hi! My name is Luz Saavedra-Sanchez. I’m a PhD candidate at Duke University and the Executive Co-Director of the non-profit Research Experience for Peruvian Undergraduates (REPU) Program. Since 2007, REPU has helped dozens of talented Peruvian students break into the world of international research and this year, we are supporting 14 incredible new mentees who have earned internships in top labs around the world.

REPU was built by Peruvian scientists for Peruvian students. Every year, we connect undergraduates, many of whom are the first in their families to pursue science, with mentors, research placements, and a community that believes in their potential. We are fully volunteer-run, powered by more than 100 Peruvian graduate students and postdocs across the globe who donate their time to mentor, advocate, and open doors for the next generation.

Why Your Support Matters

Doing science in Peru is filled with challenges: limited research funding, scarce laboratory infrastructure, and fewer opportunities to gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools. Despite these barriers, Peruvian students are brilliant, driven, and eager to contribute to global science, what they often lack is access.

REPU helps bridge that gap. We coordinate 12-week research internships in fields ranging from biomedical sciences and chemistry to ecology, computer science, physics, and nanoengineering. These internships can be transformative, but one major barrier remains:

Most of our students cannot afford the cost of flights, visas, and living expenses during their internships.

For context, Peru’s minimum monthly wage is around $280 USD. Without external support, many students would never be able to take part in opportunities that could define their careers.

Our Goal This Year

This fundraiser will support:

Your contribution—of any size—helps cover essential costs such as:

Every dollar moves us closer to a more equitable scientific community—one where talented Peruvian students don’t lose opportunities simply because of financial barriers.

Why This Work Matters

Many REPU alumni have gone on to pursue graduate degrees, publish impactful research, and return home to strengthen scientific capacity in Peru. They become mentors, leaders, and changemakers—proving again and again that investment in young scientists has ripple effects for years to come.

With your help, we can make sure financial limitations never stand in the way of talent, dedication, or dreams.

Thank you for supporting our 14 mentees, our alumni, and the future of Peruvian science.

Learn more about REPU: http://www.repuprogram.org/