Summer Undergraduate Research Program | NYU Langone Health

Summer Undergraduate Research Program

We offer college students a chance to conduct hands-on biomedical research in collaboration with our faculty.

At NYU Grossman School of Medicine, our Vilcek Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences offers qualified college students who have completed their sophomore or junior year the opportunity to participate in our Summer Undergraduate Research Program, also known as SURP. If you are interested in pursuing a PhD or MD/PhD in the biomedical sciences, our research internship program can provide you with an inside glimpse into life beyond your undergraduate studies.

Our application for SURP 2025 is open.

VIDEO: The Summer Undergraduate Research Program allows undergraduate students to experience the life of a graduate student at the Vilcek Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences. For more videos, please visit the Vilcek Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences virtual tour.

SURP Overview

As a member of the summer 2025 class, you join approximately 30 students working in our exciting academic medical environment at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and NYU Langone Health. When you are accepted into the program, you are matched with a laboratory of interest in your preferred research area. Placement ultimately depends on the availability of mentors and the appropriateness of a lab for a summer intern.

In a typical week, you spend most of your time conducting hands-on research under your research mentor’s direction in his or her lab. You also participate in weekly “Conversations with a Scientist/Physician” lunch sessions, journal clubs, and a series of Wednesday seminars followed by dinner at a local restaurant. There are also optional social activities, such as movie nights, museum tours, plays, concerts, and more.

At the end of the summer, you have the opportunity to present your research at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium, also known as LANS. You also give a poster presentation to the NYU Langone research community. We encourage you to stay connected with your fellow students and mentoring faculty by joining the NYU Summer Undergraduate Research Program LinkedIn group.

Accepted students receive a $5,000 payment, free housing, and reimbursement for round-trip travel expenses. You arrange for your own food and other living expenses.

We expect commitment to the program on a full-time basis for the duration of the internship. If you cannot commit for the full duration of the program, please do not apply.

SURP Research Disciplines

As a summer research intern, you have the opportunity to work with faculty in any of our biomedical training areas:

  • biomedical imaging and technology
  • biostatistics
  • cell biology
  • computational biomedicine
  • developmental genetics
  • epidemiology
  • immunology and inflammation
  • microbiology
  • molecular biophysics
  • molecular oncology and tumor immunology
  • molecular pharmacology
  • neuroscience and physiology
  • population health
  • stem cell biology

Criteria for Admission

The Summer Undergraduate Research Program application is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. We welcome applications from mature, well-qualified undergraduates who have completed their sophomore or junior year of college. To qualify, you should have completed at least one full semester of bench laboratory research.

We select summer research interns on the basis of research experience; academic record; and letters of recommendation from faculty advisors, research supervisors, or both. It is very important that you demonstrate your commitment to a career in biomedical research.

Commitment to Minority Student Representation

NYU Grossman School of Medicine is committed to increasing the number of students from groups underrepresented in the biomedical sciences who are pursuing PhD, MD/PhD, or MD degrees. Our program is affiliated with the Leadership Alliance, a consortium of colleges, universities, and industry partners committed to fostering a diverse workforce.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program Resident Advisors

Resident advisors for NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP), also known as SURPies, provide guidance for students participating in the program. Learn more about our 2024 resident advisors.

PhD Program

Explore our PhD programs to further your career in the biomedical sciences.

MD/PhD Program

Consider a future as a physician–scientist by earning MD and PhD degrees in our combined degree program.

MD Degree

Students in our MD degree program can earn the degree in either three or four years.