A career in biomedical research is not for everyone. But if you love science, get a thrill out of discovery, enjoy tough problems, and want to contribute to medical breakthroughs, then a career as a Ph.D. or M.D.-Ph.D. scientist might be for you. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences offers a 10-week Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) experience for undergraduates wanting to build their skills as young scientists.
Eligibility
Applicants to the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) must at time of application opening:
- Be a current second- or third-year college undergraduate student at a U.S. college or university who will be a continuing student in the subsequent fall semester*
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale)
- Be seriously considering a biomedical research career as a Ph.D. or M.D.-Ph.D. (as opposed to a fulltime practicing physician).
*Please note, first-year college undergraduate students (defined as students who are in their first year of college after high school graduation) do not meet eligibility requirements. Also, students who have graduated with their first bachelor’s degree do not meet eligibility requirements.
Non-U.S. citizen applicants
International students who are attending a U.S. college or university as full-time students are eligible to apply.
Award
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) award is $6,000 for 10 weeks. This stipend is broken out into 4 payments, paid on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. From this stipend, students are responsible for their own travel, housing, and meals.