Application & Eligibility FAQ

Am I Eligible?

All students currently enrolled in an undergraduate college or university, including graduating seniors (graduating after December 2024), are eligible to apply however, if you already received a postgraduate degree or are in the postgraduate program, you are not eligible. Additionally, applicants must be able to legally work in the United States and be able to complete a background screening and drug testing upon acceptance into the program. The University of Michigan conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Upon acceptance into the program, you will be expected to complete the required screening/testing promptly.

If you have any extenuating circumstances, feel free to reach out to us at FCVC-SURF@med.umich.edu.

Q: I am not currently enrolled as an undergraduate student but plan to enroll at a later time. Am I eligible to apply for the SURF Program? 

No. If you are not enrolled as an undergraduate institution by the time our SURF Program application opens, you are not eligible.

Q: I am a freshman in college. Am I eligible?

Yes, you are eligible to apply. Please note, the selection criteria is in partly based on academic and research experience in the sciences and strong letters of recommendation. 

Q: My school semester ends after the SURF Program starts, am I eligible for the SURF Program?

You may be eligible. When applying to the program, please indicate your preferred start date. If you're awarded a fellowship, our team will work to adjust your 10-week appointment to your requested date. Please note, start/end date accommodations are not guaranteed. If your requested date interferes with program requirements and expectations, we may not be able to meet your request and you will not be eligible. 

Q: I am in a masters/post-graduate program, am I eligible for the SURF Program? 

No. This fellowship program is aimed at giving research opportunities to undergraduates and encourage them along a career path in biomedical science. If you are a masters student and currently funded by a fellowship, traineeship, or paid for teaching, you are not eligible.  

Are International Students Eligible?

If you are currently enrolled as an undergraduate student within the United States and have or are able to obtain a visa that allows you to work in the United States and/or a valid EAD card, you are eligible to apply.  The fellowship program does not provide administrative assistance to obtain a visa, nor do we provide for visa costs, travel costs, or housing costs.  Therefore, please consider these costs before applying.  More information about visas and eligibility for employment can be found at http://www.internationalcenter.umich.edu/ or on the International Students tab of this website.  Documents proving your visa status will be required for you to be able to accept the award and for you to be employed at the University if you are ultimately chosen for a fellowship position. Please work with your school's international center for more details. 

Awarded Fellows

Awardees will be responsible for finding their own housing and are expected to pay for housing with their stipend.  Several opportunities for summer housing exist but most students find sublets off-campus to be the most reasonable and cost effective. 

Students are expected to work 40 hours per week in the laboratory during the 10-week fellowship period excluding July 4th.  If any vacation days are requested, they must be agreed upon by the faculty mentor and program coordinator, and the hours must be made up by the student before the end of the summer. 

Students will be required to attend the two-day End of Summer Scientific Symposium (the last week of the 10-week program) where they will present a PowerPoint presentation of their summer research findings.

Financial Aid Program

The Summer Fellowship Program may be able to offer need-based, financial assistance to supplement expenses related to travel to the University of Michigan and then back home once the program has ended.  If you require financial assistance in order to participate in this program you will need to input your Student Aid Index (SAI) number and FAFSA application. To find out more about the SAI number, how it is calculated, and where to find it please visit: Understandingfafsa.org

We are unable to provide the exact level of assistance available each year, as it is dependent on the volume of fellows who seek and qualify for financial assistance each year.  If you qualify for financial assistance and you are selected to participate in this program, you will be asked to provide a copy of your FAFSA form containing the SAI.

Financial assistance data will be kept confidential from reviewers. 

Program Expectations: 

Q: Can I take any classes during my time in the SURF Program? 

No. The fellowship assumes you will be working 40 hours a week for the entire fellowship period. You may not work for another University of Michigan department. You may not take any entrance exams (MCAT, GRE, etc.) during the fellowship. Failure to comply may lead to termination from the program. 

Q: I have a family vacation/scheduling conflict during the middle of the summer. Am I eligible to participate in the SURF Program?

We highly discourage fellows from taking time off during the 10-week fellowship program, however, if it is unavoidable, please disclose this information on the "preferred start date" question on your application. If you have a time-off request after the program, it must be approved by your mentor and the program coordinator, and the request must include the proposed dates you will work to make up for days missed. All accepted fellows must attend and present at the research symposium at the end of the summer.