Biology Summer Undergraduate Research Program (BSURP)

The Department of Biology, using funds from various sources including the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (VPUE), offers full-time paid research internships to current Stanford undergraduates who want to spend summer quarter participating in faculty research projects to learn biological research methods. Extensive experience is not required; the basic design of the research projects is provided by faculty who will guide you.

Most of these projects take place on the Stanford main campus. Some projects take Stanford students out of the area or even out of the country to experience environmental, ecological, and animal behavior research through already-established projects. Often, data is collected in the field and analyzed on campus.

Students will get the opportunity to work directly with faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate students. Laboratory research often involves long hours at the bench and a great attention to detail. The hours can be irregular, and the results may be few and far between. Learn the details of each project from the descriptions below and consider talking to the research sponsors to decide if it is right for you.

2024 BSURP Projects

Summer Project Descriptions

2024 Application Procedure

Application will open: Friday, December 8, 2023, by 12 pm PST

Application Deadline: Sunday, February 4, 2024, by 11:59 pm PST

Interested Stanford undergraduates should fill out the online application. Students may select their top 1-3 project choices, in order of preference. Faculty will review applications and may choose to bring applicants in for interviews. 

Priority is given to 1st and 2nd year students who have limited research experience; juniors are encouraged to apply to the Major Grant.

FLI and/or undocumented (both DACA and non-DACA) students are encouraged to apply!

Application Link  

NOTE: Please do not submit test applications. All applicants will be notified of their application status.

Eligibility

The BSURP program is internally funded by Stanford and is intended for Stanford undergraduate students only.  For full eligibility requirements, please visit VPUE's student eligibility requirements web page.

• Priority given to 1st and 2nd year students who had limited research experience
• Co-term MS or MA students may be supported only if their undergraduate degree will not be conferred before the conclusion of the project.  
• FLI and/or undocumented (both DACA and non-DACA) students are encouraged to apply!

Restrictions

BSURP interns are not permitted to engage in another full-time internship, job, or volunteer opportunity (whether funded by Stanford or otherwise). Students may not receive both academic credit and stipend for any single project activity. Students receiving full-time summer stipends may not register for more than 5 units of coursework, nor may they work for more than 10 hours per week outside of their project experience. Rising seniors who are conducting Honors research should apply for a Major Grant directly from Undergraduate Advising and Research (UAR).

Support

Stipend Amounts

Full-time stipends are awarded at $7,500.

Need-Based Supplements

Students who qualify can also receive a supplement up to an additional $1,500. The need-based supplement will be determined by the Undergraduate Research Office, based on information from the Financial Aid Office (FAO). Students who wish to be considered for the need-based supplement must give VPUE permission to ask FAO for an assessment of their financial needs. No actual financial information is revealed to VPUE or to the Department of Biology, and students do not need to contact FAO directly. Students who do NOT sign a contract and waiver form will not be considered for a financial need-based supplement. 

Important Dates and Commitments

• Completed application no later than Sunday, February 4, 2024, by 11:59 pm PST.
• The full-time ten-week commitment to the program is from June 24th to August 30th, 2024.
• BSURP poster symposium is currently scheduled for Thursday, August 29, 2024, 10:30 am-12 pm.

Housing

Room, board, house dues, and other academic expenses are paid by the student. Students are responsible for paying their university summer bill, which will include any other academic expenses incurred. Please consult the housing office for more information regarding rates and summer housing deadlines.