Undergraduate Research Opportunities
The Dartmouth MD-PhD Undergraduate Summer (MPUS) Fellowship Program
Aimed at exposing undergraduates, especially members of historically underrepresented ethnic minorities in medical science, to the vibrant career pathway of the physician-scientist. To this end, the MPUS Fellowship program highly encourages applications from students who are members of such underrepresented minority groups and who are interested in pursuing a dual MD-PhD degree pathway.
During this 10 week fellowship running from mid June until mid August, Fellows will be exposed to basic medical science research by conducting cutting edge research alongside one of our MD/PhD students presently in the PhD portion of their training. In addition, Fellows will have the opportunity to examine the clinical aspect of medicine during weekly rounds with one of Dartmouth's illustrious clinical faculty at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC). Fellows will be exposed to the wonderful community of MD-PhD students at Dartmouth and get to better understand the role of, and opportunities available to, the physician-scientist in training.
Prospective Physician-Scientists and Physician-Engineers Program
IU School of Medicine’s summer research program for future physician scientists, is designed for high-performing undergraduate students who are committed to pursuing an integrated clinical and research career and plan to pursue combined-degree training in an MD/PhD Program.
This is a program for individuals who will commit a significant part of their career as a physician to pursuing basic science, biomedical engineering or human translational discovery. Individuals who wish to pursue a career as a physician only or individuals who envision biomedical discovery as a minor component of their professional career should not apply to this program but should instead seek other programs designed for your desired career track. Opportunities for research are expected to be available in basic science disciplines and through the interdisciplinary centers for medical research at IU School of Medicine.
Preparation for Graduate and Medical Education (PARAdiGM)
UAB's NIH/NHLBI R25 funded summer program is for outstanding undergraduates from disadvantaged and underrepresented minority backgrounds who want to explore the potential of a future career as a physician-scientist - becoming a scientific investigator and a practicing physician.
Five (5) students who have finished their sophomore or junior year of college will be accepted into the 8-week paid summer program (2021 dates: June 7, 2021 - July 30, 2021) to work with UAB faculty on mentored research projects and participate in clinical experiences. PARAdiGM students will receive a stipend of $3,200 for their participation in the program. Campus housing will be provided but travel expenses are not covered.
PARAdiGM is particularly interested in students having no local campus access to research experiences or to physician-scientist role models, and students from groups underrepresented in the sciences. We anticipate that successful candidates will typically demonstrate grade point averages of 3.0 ("B") or higher, especially in science, math, and related areas.
Scripps Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
SURF is a 10-week summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) designed to engage students in diverse and exciting earth, ocean and atmospheric sciences research at a world-renowned institution.
In particular, the SURF program seeks to increase the diversity of students successfully prepared to pursue Earth and ocean sciences career pathways, and to recruit individuals from institutions with limited undergraduate research opportunities.
Housing is provided for all fellowship recipients in shared apartments on the UC San Diego campus. The apartments are furnished and equipped with a kitchen, outdoor patio, dining room, living room and double or single bedrooms. It is highly recommended that Summer Fellows live in the provided housing in order to more fully appreciate their Summer Fellowship experience.
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF)
The SURF Programs are designed for sophomore and junior level students who are US residents. Students must be able to commit to a 10 week program to do a research internship.
SURF students are matched with an appropriate faculty advisor, based on mutual research interest. The advisor and intern design a specific research project within the context of the research focus of the advisor's laboratory.
UC typically awards fellowships to 150 undergrads each summer to do clinical, translational, or basic biomedical research. You can apply to any or all of the following programs.
Fellows participate in many academic activities, including Scientific Writing seminars, a Professional Development Workshop, an Ethics in Research seminar, and an Introduction to Bioinformatics workshop. At the end of the summer, the College of Medicine hosts a Capstone Poster Symposium for summer researchers, which includes a featured Keynote Speaker who will present a scientific talk. There is an awards ceremony were the winners are celebrated along with their earned prizes. The top presenter(s) can receive the prestigious Olivia Erhardt Memorial Award.
Gateways to the Laboratory Summer Program
The mission of the Gateways to the Laboratory Program is to increase the number of students from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in medicine and science who are prepared to become competitive applicants, successful MD-PhD students, and future leaders in biomedical research and academic medicine.
Every year, 15 students embark on a 10-week intensive journey of learning about the challenging and rewarding road of becoming a physician-scientist.
Over the summer, students will: spend 10 weeks living and studying in New York City, work independently on a research project at Weill Cornell Medicine, The Rockefeller University, or Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and have on-going mentorship with a current MD-PhD student (a "Big Sib"), as well as with the Program's leadership.
Students will also partake in Lab Techniques and Clinical Skills Workshops, present and participate in weekly journal clubs, participate in Career Development Workshops, scrub in on surgeries at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospitals, learn how to prepare oral, written and poster presentations of their research.
UM-SMART Undergrad Summer Physician Scientist Program
UM-SMART is designed for undergraduate students who have an interest in obtaining a combined MD/PhD degree leading to a career in academic medicine as a physician-scientist performing basic research relevant to human health and disease. As a UM-SMART summer research fellow, students work full-time in a basic research laboratory under the mentorship of a research faculty member.
The goal of the UM-SMART program is to help students decide if a career as a physician-scientist is right for them, and to enhance competitiveness when applying to MD/PhD programs. The UM-SMART has helped 87 undergraduate participants learn about MD/PhD training since 2008. After graduation, 78% of past participants entered MD/PhD, PhD, or MD programs.
This 10-week program is aimed at students who have some amount of basic and mechanistic research experience related to medicine and are interested in gaining more experience to advance their career goals. UM-SMART is not intended for students seeking clinical research experience on human subjects. Additionally, we do not offer opportunities in public health, the social sciences, or humanities.
Summer Undergraduate MSTP Research Program
An 8-week research project conducted in the laboratory of a faculty member in the biomedical sciences. Weekly seminar series - a forum for discussions emphasizing how science and medicine intersect as well as case-based learning exercise - discussion of mechanisms underlying disease processes. This program also hosts career development seminars (e.g. MD/PhD admissions; personal and research statement writing). Also, there are physician scientist shadowing experiences (2 to 4 times during the 8-week period). Finally, there are social and mentoring activities with MD/PhD students.
All students are given a $4,150 stipend for the 8-week period wherein lodging is provided and a travel allowance is given for transportation to/from Iowa City.
UMinn Pre-MSTP Summer Research Program
Since 1989, the University of Minnesota LSSURP has offered life sciences programs for undergraduate students who have a goal of enrolling in Ph.D. and MD/PhD programs. LSSURP is supported by the University of Minnesota Medical School. The programs begin with a joint orientation weekend, followed by participation in a 10-week research project under the direction of a University of Minnesota faculty mentor and numerous special activities focused on professional development as well as social interaction. The summer research experience concludes with a poster symposium and banquet in August.
LSSURP has given students that have been underrepresented in the life sciences the experience and training that enhances their ability to pursue a career in research. This represents a long-standing commitment to increasing the impact and quality of life science research at the University of Minnesota, which is strengthened when there is diversity in our faculty and students. We strongly encourage students whose backgrounds encompass diversity in culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, and economic background to apply for our summer research positions.
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
High School Students
The UNC Chancellor’s Science Scholars Program
The UNC CSSP offers merit-based scholarships, opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research, professional development, leadership training, mentorship, and other programming designed to pave the way for academic success and future achievement. Along the way, students join a community of scholars committed not only to individual excellence, but also to challenging preconceptions of the scientist archetype and creating a more inclusive culture within the STEM academy.
The CSS Program is modeled after the nationally-recognized Meyerhoff Scholars Program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. In partnership with UMBC and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, CSS was one of the first programs in the nation to adapt the successful Meyerhoff model to a preeminent research university, demonstrating the value of building community, mentoring, and instilling high expectations of scholars. Together, CSS scholars are prepared to move into Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. programs after graduation and become part of the next generation of leaders in science and technology.
More research opportunities can be found here