Exploring Research Opportunities: A Guide to Stanford's Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Programs
Stanford University provides a multitude of research opportunities for undergraduate students, particularly during the summer months. These programs are designed to immerse students in research, foster mentoring relationships with faculty, and develop crucial research skills. This article delves into the details of several prominent programs, including the Stanford Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) programs and the Undergraduate Research Fellows (UGRF) program offered by the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR).
Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR) Undergraduate Research Fellows (UGRF) Program
SIEPR offers research opportunities for Stanford undergraduates throughout the year. The Undergraduate Research Fellows (UGRF) program provides a research experience led by SIEPR faculty, aiming to build skills in conducting policy-relevant economics research. Students also engage with the broader community at UGRF seminars, roundtable discussions, and other SIEPR events. Students from all areas of study are encouraged to apply for UGRF projects, with early application being recommended. During the academic year, undergraduates participate in research experiences led by faculty mentors while engaging with the larger SIEPR community.
The SIEPR Undergraduate Research Fellows (UGRF) summer program provides an immersive research experience for Stanford undergraduates. The goals of the program are to connect students with SIEPR faculty and foster mentoring relationships, involve students in policy-relevant economics research, and help them develop research skills.
The summer program runs for 10 weeks, typically from late June to late August. As an example, the 2025 program is scheduled from June 23 to August 29. Students are offered a fellowship stipend to support their participation; for instance, the 2025 program offered a stipend of $8000. All students are required to participate in the in-person activities during the program.
Stanford Summer Fellows Program (SSFP)
Want to get a jump start on your sophomore year this summer? The Stanford Summer Fellows Program (SSFP) is an 8-week summer residential cohort program for rising sophomores seeking to explore research, strengthen academic confidence, and build community with peers as they enter their second year at Stanford. Fellows take a course satisfying the WR2 requirement, engage in introductory research with a faculty member or faculty-led group, and participate in workshops that guide them along the research process. SSFP’s cohort model creates a supportive environment where students from diverse backgrounds learn together, build community, and navigate Stanford with a shared sense of belonging.
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Stanford Undergraduate Research in Engineering (SURF) Program
The SURF (Stanford Undergraduate Research in Engineering) program is dedicated to broadening access to high-impact research experiences. SURF Bay Area is an eight-week summer research program that brings motivated undergraduate students to Stanford Engineering for an immersive research and graduate school preparation experience.
SURF is designed to demystify the admissions process and give fellows a real feel for what it means to conduct research at the graduate level. The program provides students with housing, a meal plan, and a stipend upon completion of the program. SURF Fellows join a vibrant cohort representing a range of engineering disciplines for the opportunity to learn how to effectively navigate research and prepare for a holistic graduate experience.
The program aims to build community and create a cohort of future graduate student engineers who can promote inclusive excellence within the engineering and science student body. Student engagement in research increases 1) the retention of students in scientific research, 2) student interest in graduate school, and 3) student interest in STEM careers. Since its inception, SURF has been a vehicle for undergraduate students to conduct scientific research and a foundation for them to pursue graduate studies in engineering.
Stanford Engineering is committed to advancing a culture of respect, accessibility, inclusion, and empowerment for all students.
SURF Bay Area Program: Eligibility and Requirements
The SURF Bay Area Program hosts local students who are matriculated at a college or university campus in the United States and who are able to commute daily to Stanford's campus.
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Applicants must:
- Be in good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 or better. Applicants who describe exceptional circumstances in their statement of purpose and/or who demonstrate a marked progression of improving grades may be considered.
- Demonstrate a committed interest in pursuing graduate study toward a PhD in an engineering field. If you plan on pursuing an MD, MD-PhD, JD, MBA, or other non-research-focused advanced degree, this is not the right program for you.
- Be a rising junior or non-graduating senior who has completed sophomore year of undergraduate study (i.e. 4 semesters or 6 quarters) and has at least one full semester/quarter remaining of undergraduate study at the end of the summer program. Master's students and doctoral students are not eligible.
- Be fully available and able to independently arrange housing, meals, and transportation to Stanford's campus for the entirety of the program.
- SURF Bay Area Fellows may not be enrolled in summer courses, internships, or be employed while participating in the program.
- International applicants are not eligible for SURF Bay Area.
SURF Bay Area: Application Materials
Applicants to the SURF Bay Area program typically need to prepare the following materials:
- Resume or CV: A typed, single-spaced document, 1-2 pages in length.
- Academic Transcript: An unofficial transcript is sufficient for the application; an official transcript is not necessary.
- Statement of Purpose: This essay should convey your academic preparation and goals, with an emphasis on your current research interests. You should clearly explain your interest for pursuing doctoral level (PhD) training and the experiences that have prepared you to undertake rigorous research. The statement should be typed, single-spaced, and 1-2 pages in length. An interview is not a standard part of the SURF application process, so the statement of purpose is your opportunity to introduce yourself to a review committee.
- One Letter of Recommendation: A letter from a professor or academic/research supervisor who knows you well and who can specifically discuss your academic potential and research preparation for the program is strongly recommended. Strong letters offer multiple, specific examples and communicate your soft skills.
- Enhancing the Learning Community (Optional, Strongly Encouraged): For the optional ELC Statement, you are invited to share unique, personally important experiences, demonstrated values, perspectives, and/or activities that have shaped you as a student and researcher. Discuss how they have influenced your academic path, inform your approach to engineering and research, and would help you make a distinctive contribution to the SURF Bay Area Program. Statements should be typed, single-spaced, and 500 words in length.
Application resources, including exemplars, are often provided to support applicants in preparing competitive applications. These exemplars are not meant to be prescriptive, and applicants are encouraged to reflect on their own interests and lived experiences to write statements that are true to them. It is recommended to have your statements reviewed by trusted mentors, as well as your college or university's writing center tutors. The use of ChatGPT is discouraged.
Opportunities for Stanford Labs to Host SURF Bay Area Fellows
Principal Investigators (PIs) can host a SURF Bay Area Fellow by completing a Lab Host Interest Form to confirm their interest and availability.
External Internship Opportunities
While the focus is on Stanford-specific programs, it's worth noting that external internship opportunities can also provide valuable research experience. For example, AbbVie’s Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine group offers internships focused on the discovery of biotherapeutic and genetic medicine drug candidates. These internships seek students with biologic sciences bench skills and data/computer science training to support the implementation of a data science strategy. Key responsibilities may include analyzing laboratory workflows and designing / implementing automated liquid handling and data capture solutions. Students pursuing a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry, Molecular or Cellular Biology, or other related majors are encouraged to apply. Previous research experience, such as at least one summer or semester of independent lab research, is often required.
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Another example is a summer internship in the Oncology & Immune-Oncology Department based in Tarrytown, NY. The intern will work on cell culture techniques, gain exposure to processing of mouse samples, work on ELSIPOTS platform to understand the in vitro T cell re-call responses post vaccinations, perform data analysis and present at the end of internship program in the Team meeting.
A 2026 Summer Internship in the Genomics and Health Data Mining Team within the Regeneron Genetics Center in Tarrytown, NY may require an external application in addition to The Leadership Alliance SR-EIP application.
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