Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows Internship

Scripps Research's ten-week Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF) internship program offers students the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research in one of our 150+ laboratories while being mentored by our world-renowned faculty. The program is held on our La Jolla, California campus.

Participants in Scripps Research's SURF program are matched with a laboratory based on their indicated preferences and interests. Research projects are designed to facilitate intern growth and interns receive day-to-day mentorship from a graduate student, postdoc, or other lab member, enabling them to gradually become more independent and take intellectual ownership of the project.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Students are expected to work full-time in the laboratory, participate in lab meetings and functions, attend departmental research seminars, and participate in weekly professional development workshops.

Examples of professional development workshops:

• Career Exploration Panel Discussion
• "Applying to Graduate School" Workshop and “Life as a Graduate Student” Panel
• Science Communication 101
• Responsible Conduct of Research + Ethics
    

Outside of the lab and workshops, additional enrichment activities include small-group mentorship from graduate students, tours of other institutes/biotech companies, and teambuilding activities.

At the end of the summer, students will present their research posters at the Summer Intern Symposium. The entire Scripps Research campus is invited to celebrate the research accomplishments of the SURF students. This provides another excellent opportunity for SURF program participants to hone their public speaking and networking skills.

COMPENSATION
Students receive a stipend of $7,200, travel support, and housing.

PROGRAM DATES
June 1 to August 6, 2027 (10 weeks)

Start and end dates are not flexible.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
February 1 (annually)

Acceptance into Scripps Research's SURF program is awarded on a competitive basis to undergraduate students who:

• Are currently enrolled in a U.S. undergraduate degree program (bachelor's or associate's) or will be in the process of transferring between institutions during the summer (won’t be enrolled at either institution during the summer);
• Are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, U.S. nationals, or international students who are enrolled in a U.S. college. International students must 1) be enrolled in and will receive a degree from a US college or university and 2) have or will have work authorization valid through the end of the program. Students studying abroad are not eligible for the program unless they are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
• Can fully participate in all aspects of the program (40 hours per week for 10 weeks);
• Have a strong interest in pursuing graduate studies in chemical and biological sciences; and
• Have a GPA ≥ 3.0.