These summer undergraduate research fellowships (SURF) support undergraduate students from groups traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research to perform 10 weeks of research related to digestive diseases under the mentorship of top investigators in the fields of gastroenterology and hepatology.
The award provides a stipend and opportunities to learn about future training and career options.
Application Deadline:
February 1, 2024
Applicant eligibility
- Applicants in good academic standing enrolled in undergraduate programs in North America that lead to a bachelor’s degree and who are continuing in the following fall (i.e., no graduating seniors) are eligible to apply.
- Applicants must identify with a group traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research, including:
- Racial and ethnic groups: African Americans or Blacks, Native Alaskans, Native Americans, Native U.S. Pacific Islanders, and those of Hispanic origin.
- Individuals with disabilities.
- Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, i.e., those meeting two or more of the following criteria:
- Current or former homeless.
- Those who were in the foster care system.
- Those who were eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program for two or more years.
- First generation college students.
- Those who were or are currently eligible for Federal Pell grants.
- Those who received support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.
- Those who grew up in a U.S. rural area according to the Health Resources and Services Administration or a Low-Income and Health Professional Shortage Area according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
- Applicants may not hold similar salary-support awards from other agencies (e.g., American Liver Foundation, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, NIH).
- This award is not intended to provide salary support for laboratory technicians.
- Past recipients may reapply in subsequent years provided the required scientific progress report and any follow-up surveys were submitted following the previous funded project and other eligibility requirements are still met
Application Timeline
- October 2023: Applications open.
- February 2024: Applications close.
- February–April 2024: Application review and recipient selection.
- April 2024: Applicants notified of status.
- May/June – August 2024: Recipients perform summer research with mentors.
- September 2024: Participants complete close-out report and first follow-up survey.
