Mission Statement: mcbUSA’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) connects UC Berkeley undergraduates with biology-related labs for mentored summer research opportunities.
About SURP
The program facilitates connections between UC Berkeley undergraduates and participating research laboratories.
- Final selection decisions, funding, and project structure are determined by the labs; more information will be provided along with their project descriptions.
- The mcbUSA SURP Coordinator serves as the primary point of contact between applicants and labs.
Through participation in SURP, students can gain:
- research experience and lab skill development
- mentorship from their PI / postdoc / project lead and lab members
- summer research opportunity to strengthen their CV in preparation for grad / med school
SURP is a great opportunity for those that would like to connect with labs who are actively seeking undergraduates to mentor and have structure to their search for summer research experiences.
Past student participants in SURP have achieved:
- a variety of technical lab skill building
- written their own research posters to present at mcbUSA’s Undergraduate Research Symposium and other outside symposiums
- received opportunities to earn letters of recommendation, academic credit, stipends, co-authorship, and long-term opportunities with their labs when invited back after the summer program concludes
(Last Updated: 1/19/2026)
2026 SURP Timeline
Applications for SURP 2026 will be open on Tuesday February 24th, 2026.
Please check back here for the application form link! More information regarding the 2026 SURP Timeline will be released soon.
2026 Info-Sessions
We highly encourage attendance at our info-sessions where more information about this year’s projects will be released, as well as the entire process of the SURP timeline (including post-submission of the written application).
Info-Session #1: Tuesday February 24th, 2026 from 7-8pm in Valley Life Sciences Building (VLSB) 2063
Info-Session #2: Tuesday March 3rd, 2026 from 7-8pm in Valley Life Sciences Building (VLSB) 2063
For Students
2026 SURP Projects
Please check back for project descriptions on 2/24/26.
All labs / projects are based in the Bay Area (primarily Berkeley and San Francisco).
*Note: SURP 2026 Projects may be updated on a rolling basis, so please keep checking back in!
FAQ:
Q: How do I apply to SURP?
A: As the yearly application forms open, please fill out the requested information for each project you are interested in. You may apply for up to 3 projects, however please only choose those that you are confident you can commit to and meet the eligibility requirements for.
Q: Who is eligible to apply to SURP?
A: Current UC Berkeley undergraduate students, in any major. Other qualifications needed vary depending on the requests of each lab and different projects. Students do not need to be a member of mcbUSA to be eligible!
Q: If I am accepted to a project, will I receive units for my participation?
A: Awarding academic units is up to the discretion of the student’s host lab. Earning units typically requires enrollment in UC Berkeley Summer Sessions units, which may involve associated tuition and fees. mcbUSA does not provide funding for academic units; any associated costs are the responsibility of the student or the host lab, as determined by the lab.
Q: How are applicants selected?
A: SURP facilitates the application process but does not select applicants. Final selection decisions are made entirely by participating labs. Applicants may be notified of selection decisions by either the SURP Coordinator or the lab’s contact after applications have been reviewed.
Q: Who do I contact for any questions?
A: Important: We ask that you please direct all questions to mcbusasurp@gmail.com. The SURP Coordinator will follow up with the labs and project leads as needed.
For Labs
FAQ:
Q: How may I participate in SURP?
A: Please email mcbusasurp@gmail.com if you are interested in hosting one or more UC Berkeley undergraduate students this summer! We have a brief participation form that will be provided for labs to submit more information about their project(s), the location of the project, and requested information to be collected from student applicants.
Q: Do I need to provide funding for the undergraduates I accept from SURP?
A: It is completely optional to provide stipends, academic credit, or funding to students, however this is always greatly appreciated by the student applicants. At this time, mcbUSA is unable to provide funding support for SURP students.
Q: How are students selected and matched to projects?
A: Labs retain full discretion over which students (if any) they choose to host, as well as the student’s schedule and project involvement. The SURP Coordinator will collect and organize all student applicant information before sending it to the project lead’s contact for their review.
Q: Will I be able to interview applicants?
A: Labs are welcome to interview applicants after receiving student written applications and contact information from the SURP Coordinator! Time is built into the SURP Timeline for interviews, application review, and notice of final decisions to students in late March / early April.
If you have any questions, please email the 2026 SURP coordinator, Rachelle, at mcbusasurp@gmail.com. Thank you very much for your interest in SURP!