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Introduction to the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program at UT Southwestern's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is an intensive summer research training experience designed for college students who are preparing for Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. careers in biomedical research. Fellows spend 10 weeks pursuing individual research projects in the laboratories of Graduate School faculty members.

Program Details

• The program begins in early June and ends mid-August.
• Fellows gain experience in modern research techniques and plan and execute an experimental strategy to answer a scientific question.
• SURF introduces students to the kinds of projects encountered during postgraduate research training and fosters an understanding of the planning, discipline, and teamwork involved in the pursuit of answers to current questions in the biological sciences.
• At the end of the SURF Program, fellows present their research during a poster session.

2026 Program Dates

The 2026 program dates are June 1 – August 7, 2026.

Additional Program Components

In addition to laboratory research, fellows attend weekly seminars given by UT Southwestern faculty members. Informal discussions about careers in science and graduate training are also scheduled.

Number of Fellows

Approximately 50 fellows participate in the summer research program. Fellows are assigned to a laboratory and research project according to their previous training and research interests.

Research Areas

Research areas include:

• Biological Chemistry
• Biomedical Engineering
• Biophysics
• Cancer Biology
• Cell Biology
• Chemistry
• Developmental Biology
• Genetics
• Immunology
• Mechanisms of Disease
• Molecular Biology
• Microbiology
• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology

Eligibility for SURF

Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate science degree program and have completed their freshman year. Applicants must also be U.S. citizens or possess an F1 visa.

• Applicants must commit to not take any courses, hold a job, volunteer, or plan a vacation during this 10-week period.
• If the applicant's school follows the quarter system, they will be allowed to join the program up to one week late.

Selection Criteria

Criteria used in the selection of fellowship recipients include:

• College grades
• Relevant experience
• Letters of recommendation from faculty who can assess the applicant's potential for advanced training and success in biological research
• Career goals include pursuing Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. degree

Stipend

The stipend for the 10-week program is $5,000. This support is taxable. Details on local living accommodations will be provided when fellows are notified of their acceptance. If a fellow requires housing, then the costs will be covered by SURF; however, fellows are responsible for paying for their own travel expenses.

Application Process

To apply for SURF, applicants must complete the online application and upload their transcripts (official or unofficial) from each college they have attended. Two letters of recommendation are also required, which can come from mentors, teachers, employers, or advisers. Letters should discuss the applicant's scientific and intellectual abilities, previous training and experience, and potential for a career in research.

Application Deadline

The application for SURF 2026 opens October 1, 2025, and the deadline is February 1, 2026.

Housing

Housing needs for SURF students are coordinated through the SURF office. SURF students requiring housing will stay in a local hotel and be transported to and from the UT Southwestern campus daily. SURF participants with family or friends in the Dallas-Fort Worth area should plan to stay with them.