Summer Research Training Program

Students selected for summer research at UC San Francisco spend up to ten weeks working with UCSF faculty members on research projects. Participants in the program take part in seminars, lectures, and social events, creating a cohesive and supportive community. At the end of the program, students give presentations of their research and get valuable feedback from students, postdocs, and faculty at UCSF. The program runs from the last weekend in May until the first weekend in August.

In order to be eligible for the 2026 Summer Research Program at UCSF, you must:

• Be a currently-enrolled undergraduate student. (We cannot accept students who will have earned their bachelor's degree by the end of the spring 2026 quarter or semester.)
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Have a desire to pursue a PhD in one of the disciplines offered by the UCSF Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs.
• Have completed at least four semesters or six quarters of undergraduate study prior to the beginning of the Summer Program.
• Be able to participate for the entirety of the program.

UCSF does not use race, gender, sex or other protected categories or proxies for protected categories in the selection process. 

***Read more about what will make you a strong candidate.***

In order to be eligible for the 2026  Summer Research Program at UCSF, you must:

• Be a currently-enrolled undergraduate student. (We cannot accept students who will have earned their bachelor's degree by the end of the spring 2026 quarter.)
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Applicants with DACA or AB540 status may also be eligible and should contact [email protected] for more information. International students are not eligible. 
• Have a desire to pursue a PhD in one of the disciplines offered by the UCSF Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs in life/health sciences listed at right.
• Have completed at least four semesters or six quarters of undergraduate study prior to the beginning of the Summer Program.
• Be able to participate for the entirety of the program.

The Summer Research Training Program provides research opportunities in the biomedical and biological sciences. We thank the following funding sources for their generous support:

• Amgen Foundation
• National Science Foundation
• UC LEADS
• UCSF Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs
• UCSF Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
• Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research
• ImmunoDiverse
• UCSF Cancer Center
• UCSF Cardiovascular Research Institute
• Medical Scientist Training Program/UCSF Medical School
• Bioengineering Graduate Program
• Biomedical Informatics Graduate Program
• Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program
• Chemistry and Chemical Biology Graduate Program
• Integrative Program in Quantitative Biology Graduate Program
• Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Graduate Program
• Neuroscience Graduate Program
• Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics Graduate Program

Program Features

• Research: Engage in 10 weeks of graduate-level research ​
• Mentorship: Receive guidance from faculty, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows ​
• Seminars: Participate in weekly professional development workshops ​
• Symposium: Present oral and poster presentations​
• Cohort: Experience a community of highly motivated students from across the U.S.
• Community: Social events on campus and around San Francisco 

Participant Benefits

Students receive a total package worth over $15,000 including:

• Stipend: Competitive summer & public transportation stipend​
• Travel: Roundtrip travel to and from San Francisco ​
• Housing: Housing in San Francisco near shops, restaurants and transit ​
• Health Insurance: Health insurance for duration of program​​

Go to the SRTP Frequently Asked Questions Webpage

Applications open on Saturday, November 1, 2025 (12:01 a.m. PST). 
Application closes on February 2, 2025 (11:59 p.m. PST).

Students will be notified of admissions decisions the first week of March.

A completed application must include:

• Application and personal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• Copy of college transcript(s)

Apply now

If you are interersted in serving as a host lab contact [email protected]  

Information about SRTP for grants and reporting (MyAccess required). If you need additional or specific information email [email protected]