Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
Get hands-on biomedical research experience at Mayo Clinic
Outstanding undergraduates interested in a career in biomedical research are encouraged to participate in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program at Mayo Clinic. The 10-week summer program invites students from across the nation to become fully immersed in the research and culture of a major medical center.
Meet the current SURF cohort
Program highlights
Learn what it’s like to be a medical innovator at Mayo Clinic during the 10-week SURF program. Complete details can be found on Mayo Clinic’s website.
- Explore a biomedical research career
- Receive mentorship from Mayo Clinic researchers and physicians
- Gain research skills
- Immerse yourself in the culture of a world-class medical center
- Meet other SURFs from across the country
“I really appreciated that my lab gave me my own self-guided project, as it was a very realistic and intensive experience.”
Alicia Kim, 2023 SURF participant
Pre-selection for Illinois students
As part of the Mayo Clinic & Illinois Alliance, up to seven of these prestigious fellowships are reserved for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students. Illinois undergraduates may submit their Mayo Clinic SURF application to a pre-selection committee of Illinois faculty and staff.
Sign up to receive email notifications about SURF and the Illinois pre-selection program.
Eligibility & financial support
Illinois students in their sophomore or junior year, with a minimum 3.0 GPA, who are seriously considering a biomedical research career as a PhD or MD-PhD, are eligible to apply. Successful applicants must commit to following the SURF standards of professionalism and accountability.
$6,000 will be awarded by the Mayo Clinic & Illinois Alliance to cover living expenses during the 10-week program.
Important dates
- May 28 – Aug. 2, 2024 - 2024 SURF Program
- Oct. 2024 - Info session
- Nov. 2024 - Illinois pre-selection application deadline
- Dec. 2024 - Finalist interviews
- Jan. 2025 - Award notification
- Feb. 2025 - Mayo Clinic application deadline
- Summer 2025 SURF Program
Application process
- To apply, students must complete an application and upload a personal statement and current transcript or web academic history.
- Letters of recommendation are required from two references at or above the graduate level, such as research mentors, professors, instructors, or advisors.
- The top 10 applicants will be invited to interview with the selection committee, and seven will be selected. All applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision.
- Selected students will use the same application materials to complete the Mayo Clinic online application prior to the deadline of February 1. Students who were not pre-selected can still apply directly to the Mayo Clinic SURF program by February 1. Often, more than the seven pre-selected students are invited to participate.