Summer Undergrad Research Fellowship

What's The Latest Visit our Calendar of Events to see the schedule of fun and educational events for our 2009 summer students.  Read all about our UC Summer Research Opportunities in Biomedicine SURF Program Information You will get hands-on research experience in one of our state-of-the-art biomedical research laboratories. You will be matched with a research laboratory in one of our outstanding Graduate Programs in Biomedical Sciences for 10 weeks. A stipend is provided to help defray expenses. A wide range of research opportunities is available, ranging from molecular biology to animal physiology and behavior.

Click Here for Our Other Summer Programs: PSTP - Summer Physician Scientist Training Program SURPCC - Summer Undergraduate Research Program in Cancer and Cell Biology SURPN - Summer Undergraduate Research Program in Neuroscience CCHMC - Undergraduate Summer Student Program at the Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation STING - Summer Training IN Genetics in the Department of Molecular Genetics NIH- Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Functional Genomics and Cell Biology SPEP - Summer Premedical Enrichment Program Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine REWU - Research Experiences for Women Undergraduates NSF REU Site Program in Membrane Science, Technology, & Applications ASPET SURF - Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Pharmacology, Toxicology, & Pharmaceutical Sciences REWU - Summer Program, Research Experiences for Women Undergraduates

How to Apply

1. Application: Apply online at: www.med.uc.edu/SURF prior to February 15. Please answer all questions as completely as possible and submit the application with your resume attached.
   
   
2. Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as received, so it is beneficial to submit your application as early as possible. Transcripts, resumes and letter(s) of recommendation must be postmarked prior to February 15 - 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Applications which are incomplete (missing supplemental documentation) after March 1 will not be considered. * Materials sent by mail (US Postal Service, UPS, FedEx, etc.) must be postmarked by February 15. Materials sent via email must have a sent date prior to February 15, 2010 - 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. All revisions to online applications must be completed prior to February 15, 2010 - 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time., at which time, the online application system will no longer be accessible to applicants.
   
   
3. Status of Application materials: When transcripts and letter(s) of recommendation are received and uploaded by our staff, your status will be updated automatically. When all materials have been received, your status will indicate that your application is COMPLETE.
   
   
4. Essay: You will find 3 essay questions in the online application. Please answer in as much detail as needed to describe 1) your motivation to pursue research and how research fits into your career goals; 2) the areas of research that interest you; 3) each prior research experience, including the dates of participation and the name of each program, institution/organization, and research mentor. Include a brief description of each research project and whether you prepared a poster, oral presentation, paper, etc).
   
   
5. Research Interest: Please indicate if there is a particular investigator or laboratory to which you would prefer to be assigned. If you have no preference, please list a few potential mentors - faculty members whose work interests you. You may need to review faculty websites on the UC COM Department websites at www.med.uc.edu/departments or www.med.uc.edu/GradEd. (To review faculty at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, visit the UC College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics.)
   
   
6. Multiple programs of interest: You may apply for as many summer research programs as you wish by simply checking the appropriate boxes on the application. Please be sure to answer the essay questions and provide research interests appropriately for each program to which you have applied. In other words, you may address your answers regarding research/mentor interests to each program you apply to.
   
   
7. Transcripts: Required. Please provide the most current and comprehensive transcripts available. Updated transcripts must be postmarked by February 15, 2010 - 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
   
   
8. References: You must supply contact information for two references - at least one of whom must submit electronically a letter of recommendation for you. One letter of recommendation is required. Your reference letter should be written by someone who can evaluate your potential for biomedical research. The letter must be submitted electronically - via our application system or by email to the SURF Program Coordinator at webersk@uc.edu. The application system will automatically send one request for a letter to each reference provided by the applicant. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that at least one recommender submits a letter by the February 15, 2010 - 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time application deadline.
   
   
9. CV/Resume: Please attach a CV or Resume electronically to your application using the document download option in the online application system.

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships FAQ

1. What is the purpose of the program?
   The intent of this program is to offer you a singular experience in a medical research lab under the supervision of a principal investigator in a funded research project.  We are providing you a first hand experience in what a career in biomedical research will be like.
   
   
2. Are international students eligible for the SURF program?
   International students who already have a visa and are currently studying at a US College or University, are eligible for most of our SURF programs. Some programs can only accept US citizens or permanent residents (because of federal funding restrictions). Please contact each SURF program individually for more information.
   
   
3. Who should apply?
   Undergraduate student participants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States. An undergraduate student is one who is enrolled in a degree program (part-time or full-time) leading to a baccalaureate or associates degree. High school graduates who have not yet enrolled, and students who have received their bachelor's degrees and are no longer enrolled as undergraduates, or postbaccalaureates, are not eligible.
   
   Sophomores and Juniors who are majoring in the sciences (e.g.: Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Physics, etc.) are preferred for summer fellowships in the College of Medicine. Previous research experience is beneficial; it makes you more competitive for a spot in a lab and it helps us know where to place you. While Freshman and Seniors are eligible, Sophomores and Juniors are typically preferred. Seniors are only eligible if they are planning to do at least one semester of postbaccalaureate study after graduation and prior to applying for graduate school.
   
   Students must have completed a year each in Biology and Chemistry.Completion of upper level science courses such as Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Microbiology are a big plus.  If you have done any research at all I encourage you to discuss it in your application in as much detail as possible.  Also, be as specific as possible about your research interests and how you plan to use research in your future career.
   
   
4. Are post baccs and post grads allowed to apply?
   Seniors who are about to graduate but intend to take a year off afterwards to prepare for graduate or medical school are eligible to apply to the RGE SURF program
   
   
5. How do I apply?
   You may fill-out the online application off of our website. Along with the completed application, you will need to provide two contacts, one of whom must send a letter of recommendation to us by February 15. You may get your letter from your College Advisor or any professor or investigator who can evaluate your potential for biomedical research.  You may also provide and any other documentation you feel would support your application. For example, if you have done research, you may submit scientific papers, research papers or other publications you have written or participated in as well. Be sure to let us know if there is a particular lab or area of research you are interested in.
   
   
6. Is there an application deadline?
   Applications for summer research programs will be accepted until February 15. Along with your application, ALL required supporting documents resume, transcript(s), and letter(s) of recommendation must ALSO be received by this date for your application to be considered. You may log on with your Username and Password, edit your application and attach your documents up until the February 15 deadline. Due to the number and quality of applications we receive each year for a limited number of fellowship awards, we strongly encourage you to apply before the February 15 deadline for greatest consideration as many programs will begin filling positions as applications begin to arrive.
   
   
7. How much is the stipend?
   Summer research assistants in SURF/RGE will receive $4,000 for the 10-week internship for the summer of 2010 other programs vary.  The stipend, usually received about halfway through the summer, should reimburse you for room and board with enough left over to enjoy the summer in Cincinnati.
   
   
8. When do I start my internship?
   You should complete your 10-week internship sometime between May and August, but you will work out a specific schedule with your mentor that suits both of your needs for the summer.  You will be expected to participate in laboratory work (or other program related activities) about 8 hours a day, five days a week during the 10 week period.
   
   
9. Is housing available for undergraduates?
   As a Summer Research Fellow, you will need to find housing for the 10-week internship.  Most students stay in the dorms at UC or Xavier; both are a short shuttle bus ride from the Academic Health Center. (see: www.med.uc.edu/SURF/dorm.cfm) Apartments close to campus in Clifton usually run about $300-400 for a one bedroom.  You can find a summer apartment to share or sublet at: www.apartmentfrog.com/oh/uc/ (an on campus website) or at: www.Cincinnati.com which lists all the Cincinnati Enquirer's classified housing ads every day. 
   
   
10. What kinds of research opportunities are available at UC College of Medicine?
    We have a wide range of research areas from which to choose.  With over $300 million in research funding, we truly offer world class facilities and programs.  You can look at the Department web sites to see what kind of research the faculty in each department are doing, or you can search via the Google toolbat at www.uc.edu to find investigators by searching keywords like "cancer" or "genetics."  With over 20 departments and 1000 faculty engaged in basic science research, the College of Medicine is equipped to place you in almost any area of biomedical research you could wish. 
    
    
11. Is it possible to apply to a specific department?
    The Office of Research and Graduate Education can place you in nearly any research lab in the UC Academic Health Center. You may also apply directly to one of the other summer research programs in the College of Medicine which are listed at: www.med.uc.edu/admissions/summerenrich.cfm . If you are not accepted into a fellowship program, we encourage you to contact any department or individual faculty member independently, to inquire about available student work/study positions, or a volunteer position in the lab for the summer.
    
    
12. Is there a list of past participating laboratories, and should we apply to a specific one, or just state our general interests in the application?
    Please describe your research interests and any research faculty at UC with whom you would like to be placed.  We will take it from there.  If you are accepted into a lab, we will put you in touch with the principal investigator (your mentor) to confirm your placement and to set up your schedule for the summer.  You may search for labs using the Departmental Listing at www.med.uc.edu, or the Faculty Lists on the Graduate Program websites listed at www.med.uc.edu/GradEd, or search by research keyword for faculty members at http://webcentral.uc.edu/eprof.
    
    
13. Is there a specific form for the advisor/professor recommendation?
    The two individuals you provide on your application will be contacted by our office and requested to write a letter of recommendation which evaluates your potential for a research career. They will be directed to submit the letter online, but there is no form or required format.
    
    
14. Is it necessary to have an official transcript from EACH university attended; that is, being a transfer student, do I need to send two transcripts or will a detailed cumulative one from my present university suffice?
    If your current transcript includes information about your other school(s), you do not need to send any other transcripts. However, if the bulk of your academic work is at the other institution, make sure the grades from that coursework are included on your current transcript, or else we will need to see the original.
     
15. Is it possible to apply to more than one program?
    There are many Summer Undergraduate Research Programs at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. It is possible to apply to more than one of these programs, but it is preferable to determine which program is best suited to your needs and apply only to that one program.  All told, we bring in about 150 undergrads from all over the U.S. each summer.  Most of our summer programs run during UC’s Summer Quarter schedule, mid June - August, but this schedule is flexible.
    
    
    
    
    

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