Unveiling Summer Undergraduate Research Programs: A Comprehensive Guide

Summer Undergraduate Research Programs (SURP) offer invaluable opportunities for undergraduate students to delve into the world of research, explore academic interests, and gain practical experience in various fields. These programs, often funded by organizations like the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), provide students with stipends and assistance with housing, meals, and travel, making research accessible and enriching.

Types of Summer Research Programs

Summer research opportunities come in various forms, each offering a unique experience:

REU Sites: Faculty can apply for funding to support a cohort of undergraduate students in research projects designed specifically for the NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. Undergraduates then apply directly to REU Sites to participate in research projects across the United States and the world.
REU Supplements: Faculty can also apply for additional funding to involve undergraduate students in a new or ongoing NSF-funded research project.
University-Specific Programs: Many universities offer their own summer research programs, such as the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) at Pomona College, providing students with opportunities to work with faculty mentors on research assistantships or student-driven projects.

Benefits of Participating in Summer Research

Participating in a summer undergraduate research program offers numerous benefits:

Research Experience: Students gain hands-on experience in research methodologies, data collection and analysis, and scientific writing.
Mentorship: Working closely with faculty mentors provides students with guidance, support, and valuable insights into their field of interest. Student participants in many SPUR programs will work with a faculty mentor with special expertise and interests matched, as closely as possible, to the student’s research interests and career goals.
Professional Development: Programs often include workshops, seminars, and networking opportunities to enhance students' professional skills and prepare them for future careers.
Exploration of Interests: Summer research allows students to explore their academic interests in depth and determine if a research-oriented career path is right for them.
Strengthened Applications: Participation in research programs strengthens students' applications for graduate school and other competitive opportunities.
Financial Support: Many programs provide stipends and assistance with living expenses, making research accessible to students from diverse backgrounds.
Contribution to the Field: Students have the opportunity to contribute to original research that may yield significant contributions to their field of study.

Pomona College's Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)

The Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) at Pomona College exemplifies the opportunities available to students seeking a summer research experience. SURP provides a multi-week fellowship opportunity that either connects students with Pomona College faculty research programs or facilitates student-driven projects. The goal of SURP is to support a broad range of scholarly activities that will continue to stimulate students' thinking and growth during the summer, including writing, collecting and analyzing data, and creative expression.

Project Types

SURP offers two types of projects:

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Research Assistantship: Designed by and under the direction of a Pomona College faculty mentor.
Summer Project: A research, creative, or artistic project designed and led by the student, under the mentorship of a Pomona College faculty member.

Important Dates and Details

Application Deadline: February 3, 2026, at 11:59 PM (Both students and faculty apply via SM Apply).
Project Dates: Projects can start as early as the week after commencement in May and must be completed before the start of Fall Semester in August. SURP research can be conducted between Monday, May 18, and Friday, August 21.
Poster Conference: An Intensive Summer Experience Poster Conference is held in September, in which all SURP (and PCIP) students are expected to participate.
Fellowship Length: SURP fellowships can range between 4-10 weeks depending on the nature of each project.
Award Amount: SURP students receive an educational fellowship award totaling $740 per week. Awards are paid via stipend in two installments on a standardized schedule, targeted for May 30 and July 10 in 2026. This schedule is independent of each student's specific project length or start date.
Housing: Students are responsible for their own housing arrangements. Summer Housing at Pomona College is managed separately.

Faculty Application Process

Faculty who wish to support one or more student research assistants will complete a Research Assistant application describing the project, the role of the Research Assistant(s), and a training/mentoring plan. Faculty must name and evaluate the student or students they would like to train, and direct these students to complete the Student SURP application. The student application includes a field for the student to describe the research project they are joining, and they are welcome to input text directly from the faculty mentor (for this field only). Faculty are strongly encouraged to be mindful of diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations when selecting student Research Assistant candidates. Research Assistantship SURPs can apply for funding for 4-10 weeks.

Research Assistantship applications submitted by Faculty will be reviewed based on the following elements:

Quality of the research project proposal, as determined by its clarity and its effectiveness in showing that the project is original and may yield a significant contribution to the field of study, is based on sound methodology, and offers the potential for significant intellectual or creative growth for the student.
Feasibility of proposed project.
Quality of the mentoring plan that ensures the student Research Assistants have a valuable learning experience.

Student Application Process

Research Assistantships

Students must first approach a faculty member to solicit joining their research team for the summer, and discuss what their role would entail. Upon approval of the faculty member, students apply individually and should prepare the following information:

Specify the faculty SURP proposal they intend to join. The student application includes a field for the student to describe the research project they are joining, and applicants are welcome to input text directly from the faculty mentor (for this field only)
Provide a statement on their intended contribution to the faculty research project and how their participation will enhance their Pomona College education
Explain what coursework and other experiences have prepared them to succeed on the project
Specify the length of their participation in the project. Research Assistantship SURPs can apply for funding for 4-10 weeks.

Summer Projects

Summer Projects are student-driven creative, artistic, or research projects. Summer Projects require consultation with and endorsement by a Pomona College faculty mentor whose expertise aligns with the proposed project. Students complete and submit the Summer Project application, and then SURP contacted the faculty mentor with a recommendation form.

Students applying with their own Summer Project proposals should:

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Provide a detailed project description.
Explain the influences or interests that are driving the project.
Describe what resources will be used to complete the endeavor.
Describe how the experience will enhance their Pomona College education.
Specify the length of the project. Summer Project SURPs can apply for funding for 4-8 weeks.

Each student applicant must prepare their own unique application. Students may propose group projects with similar overall descriptions, but each must specify their own activities contributing to the overall project and their individual expected benefits. Duplicate applications (where all parts appear identical) will not be competitive.

Projects involving students working under the mentorship of an external person, program, or institution require both the endorsement of a Pomona College faculty member and a statement of support from the external mentor or program. Student applicants need not gather these statements - SURP will contact both recommenders with specific forms, after the student submits their application.

SURP Expectations

Eligibility: continuing Pomona College students who are enrolled in both the Spring semester before and the Fall semester after the summer of their research project. Students must also be in good academic and disciplinary standing with the College.

SURP grants are considered “full-time” Research Fellowships and thus, SURP students may not take on other Pomona College leadership roles or student employment concurrently at any point for the SURP project duration. SURP project start dates and project lengths are relayed to Student Employment as a central monitor for this expectation.

Research involving human subjects must be approved by the Pomona College Institutional Review Board before participating subjects can be recruited. Students are expected to consult with their faculty mentor to determine whether their project involves human subjects and would require approval from the Institutional Review Board. Note that the Institutional Review Board does not meet in the summer, so Research Protocols for SURP projects must be submitted for review in advance! state or other country in which they are conducting their research, and to notify the SURP program if their plans change. This expectation relates to multiple administrative functions including Pomona College student travel insurance, fellowship taxation possibilities, and SURP aggregate reporting. Students traveling outside the United States, including to their home country, must complete an international travel policy and waiver form. Department of State.

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International students should check with the international student advisor to determine whether they require CPT (Curricular Practical Training) authorization to complete their project.

Each student must design and submit an academic conference poster that encapsulates what they learned, achieved, or created this summer, to be shared with the Pomona College community during the Intensive Summer Experience Poster Conference in Fall Semester. This is in addition to any other final product(s) that are most appropriate for the project and academic discipline, in consultation with the faculty mentor.

Finding Summer Research Programs

Numerous resources exist to help undergraduate students find summer research programs:

National Science Foundation (NSF): The NSF has a search page that includes contact information for Research Experiences for Undergraduates summer research programs.
PathwaysToScience.org: This website has a searchable database of 600+ summer research programs for undergraduates in all STEM disciplines.
Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR): CUR provides a list of summer research opportunities, although the information is self-entered and not validated by CUR.

Examples of Summer Research Programs

Here are a few examples of summer research programs available to undergraduate students:

Data Analytics for Science Immersion Experience (DASIE) - Carnegie Mellon University: A fully funded, weeklong program that introduces undergraduate students to the many ways data informs scientific work.
Design of Nanomaterials for 21st Century Energy - University of South Carolina: Participants will work in a dynamic and cutting-edge research environment and perform research involving designing and synthesizing nanostructured materials for energy conversion and storage processes.
NSF ERC Internet of Things for Precision Agriculture: Students work with researchers at University of Pennsylvania, University of FL, Purdue University, or University of CA Merced on technologies that advance food, energy, and water security.
NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Quantum Information Science - University of South Carolina: A nine-week, fully funded summer research experience focused on cutting-edge topics such as Quantum software testing, AI-driven quantum compiler optimization, and Quantum machine learning.
Paid: 10-week Summer REU in Engineering and Sustainable Technologies - University of Kansas: A 10-week immersive undergrad summer program for students in the field of HVACR systems with a focus on sustainable refrigerants.
Political Science Predoctoral Summer Institute - Georgetown University: A week-long training program for students who are considering pursuing a Ph.D. in political science or a closely related field.
Summer Institute in Biostatistics and Data Science (SIBDS) - Florida Atlantic University: An opportunity for undergraduate majors in math, statistics, and data science.
UCLA Summer Programs in Undergraduate Research (SPUR): SPUR encompasses multiple programs, including the Amgen Scholars Program, Bruins-In-Genomics (B.I.G. Summer), BRI-SURE, and others, offering research opportunities in various fields.
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) - Caltech: A program where students conduct research under the guidance of experienced mentors, culminating in a technical paper and oral presentation.
Mayo Clinic SURF Program: Immerses undergraduate students in real-world research projects at a major medical center.

UCLA Summer Programs in Undergraduate Research (SPUR)

UCLA offers a variety of summer research programs under the SPUR umbrella, each with its own focus and eligibility requirements. These programs provide students with intensive research experiences, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.

Amgen Scholars Program

The Amgen Scholars Program is a national program designed to increase learning and networking opportunities for students committed to pursuing a career in science or engineering. Students interested in summer research in any area of biomedical science, chemistry, bioengineering, or chemical engineering are encouraged to apply. Students will be paired with a UCLA faculty mentor if the student does not already have one. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA and be interested in pursuing a Ph.D. The program lasts for 10 weeks, and all participants must be able to attend for the entire duration.

Bruins-In-Genomics (B.I.G. Summer)

Starting, Bruins-In-Genomics (B.I.G. Summer) focuses on students sponsored by a UCLA faculty. Student application materials are due by Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

BRI-SURE

The UCLA Brain Research Institute (BRI) sponsors a summer undergraduate research experience (BRI-SURE) pathway program for students currently participating in honors research programs at other colleges and universities across the nation. BRI-SURE is an 8-week, hybrid, intensive summer training for exceptional students seeking to pursue research careers in Neuroscience or Physiology. The program is designed to provide a rigorous, in-depth research experience to prepare participants for top-quality Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. graduate programs.

The program selects participants based on academic achievement and leadership. Participants will engage in activities such as analyzing data, modeling biological or behavioral systems, computerized coding, and other analysis tools/methods. Host labs will train scholars to conduct a rigorous research project, culminating in a poster competition. Students will also be involved in activities that enrich their summer experience, including writing a research paper, exploring the Ph.D. career path, learning about applying to programs and funding opportunities, participating in research journal clubs, seminars, and career panels, preparing abstracts and posters, and visiting cultural centers in Los Angeles.

This is an 8-week experience run in conjunction with the UC-HBCU Neuroscience Pathways and UC-HSI SOMA programs. Applications are due by January 21, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST.

UC-HBCU Neuroscience Pathways Program

The UC-HBCU Neuroscience Pathways Program is an 8-week summer enrichment program for undergraduate students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States. The program is open to undergraduate students from all backgrounds that major in a natural science and are in good academic standing.

The goals of the program are to increase the impact on students and faculty at both HBCU partner institutions and UCLA, and to incentivize quality mentorship of interns in UCLA host labs. A group of interested students, selected jointly by the HBCU partner institutions and UCLA, will be invited to spend 8 weeks on campus conducting research in appropriate host laboratories.

The training, executed by host lab Principal Investigators, will be commensurate with the students’ experiences at their home institution. The program will engage in active research and teaching partnerships that accompany students before and beyond the 8-week internship. Additionally, the program will host one “chaperone” HBCU faculty member per year to accompany the trainee cohort for the first week of the program, intending to foster both scientific collaboration and quality mentoring.

To incentivize graduate studies at UCLA for HBCU interns, the UCLA Brain Research Institute will offer a full 5-year stipend - disbursed annually - for at least one student accepted into the graduate Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program (gNSIDP).

Participants will engage in activities such as analyzing data, modeling biological or behavioral systems, computerized coding, and other analysis tools/methods. Host labs will train Neuroscience Pathways fellows to conduct a rigorous research project, culminating in a poster competition. Students will also be involved in activities that enrich their summer experience, including writing a research paper, exploring the Ph.D. career path, learning about applying to programs and funding opportunities, participating in research journal clubs, seminars, and career panels, preparing abstracts and posters, and visiting cultural centers in Los Angeles.

This is an 8-week experience run in conjunction with the BRI-SURE and UC-HSI SOMA programs. Applications are due by January 21, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST.

Superior Opportunities for Maximizing Access (SOMA) to Neuroscience Program

The Superior Opportunities for Maximizing Access (SOMA) to Neuroscience Program is open to all undergraduate and Master’s students, supporting participation in neuroscience and, ultimately, the pursuit of a neuroscience doctoral degree. Each year, the program welcomes a group of interested students from Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) for an 8-week, immersive, in-person experience at UCLA conducting research in a host laboratory.

The program aims to incentivize the relationship between UCLA and its partner HSI institutions on three fronts: SOMA Fellow & UCLA Faculty, HSI Partner Faculty Mentors, and SOMA Alumni.

Participants will engage in activities such as analyzing data from ongoing experiments, modeling biological or behavioral systems, computerized coding, and a variety of other analysis tools/methods. During the Program, host labs will train SOMA fellows to conduct a rigorous research project, culminating in a poster competition. Apart from conducting experiments, students will be involved in activities that enrich their summer experience, including writing a research paper, exploring the Ph.D. career path, learning about applying to programs and funding opportunities, participating in research journal clubs, seminars, and career panels, preparing abstracts and posters, and visiting cultural centers in Los Angeles.

This is an 8-week experience run in conjunction with the BRI-SURE and UC-HBCU Neuroscience Pathways programs. Applications are due by January 21, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST.

UCLA Neuroscience Scholars Program

The UCLA Neuroscience Scholars program is a 10-week intensive summer research training experience for exceptional UCLA sophomore and junior undergraduates that are committed to pursuing a graduate degree in neuroscience. Neuroscience Scholars will be paired with a UCLA faculty mentor based on their research interests. Students will conduct discovery research in the laboratories of their faculty mentors. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA and be interested in pursuing a Ph.D.

UCLA Public Health Scholars Training Program

The UCLA Public Health Scholars Training Program provides undergraduate students the opportunity to explore the field of public health through hands-on training, structured workshops, group excursions, and leadership and professional development. Located in Los Angeles, the program offers scholars the opportunity to train at UCLA, to explore public health in one of the most diverse counties in the US, and to experience the city’s vibrant culture. We work with community.

Caltech's Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF)

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) program is one of the "crown jewels" of Caltech. Since 1979, SURF students have had the opportunity to conduct research under the guidance of experienced mentors working at the frontier of their fields.

SURF is modeled on the grant-seeking process:

Students collaborate with a potential mentor to define and develop a project
Applicants write research proposals as part of the application process
Faculty review the proposals and recommend awards
Students carry out the work over a 10-week period during the summer

At the conclusion of the program, students submit a technical paper and give an oral presentation at one of several SURF Seminar Days, symposia modeled on a professional technical meeting.

SURF Fellows will be expected to:

Devote full effort to conducting the SURF project for the full ten-week period. Participants cannot take courses or hold another job.
Conduct research in person.

Mayo Clinic SURF Program

The Mayo Clinic SURF Program helps thousands of undergraduate students explore their interests in research. As a summer fellow, you will be immersed in research opportunities. Real-world research insight and experience. The excitement of gaining hands-on experience with real-world research projects at a major medical center.

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