The Stanford Summer Research Program in Biomedical Sciences (SSRP)

Opportunity Description:


The SSRP-Amgen Scholars Program is a fully-funded research-intensive residential program that takes place on Stanford’s beautiful campus for a eight-week period. Participants are matched with a member of Stanford’s distinguished faculty and work in one of our state-of-the-art research facilities. Each participant works with both a faculty member and a lab mentor to craft a research project. The lab environment provides challenging projects and involves a broad range of research techniques that are feasible within the eight-week period. The program culminates with a research symposium, where students present individual talks and posters on their summer projects in front of their peers, faculty, lab mentors, University administrators, and general public.

In addition to research, the program also provides:

  • Week-long data workshop series (new addition for the remote program)
  • GRE Test Preparation Course
  • Professional development workshops
  • Expansion of students’ knowledge in various scientific fields through faculty lectures and journal clubs
  • Guidance in the process of applying to PhD programs
  • Personalized assistance with graduate school personal statements, CV’s, and presentation skills
  • Summer housing, meals, and travel to and from Stanford
  • $3,600 stipend
  • Social outings to local destinations, such as the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and San Francisco

This program is intended for students pursuing PhD programs.

Primary Responsibilities: 

The underlying philosophy of the summer program is to prepare students for PhD training by providing a rigorous curriculum and an empowering support structure. We have very high expectations of our participants, both to help them for a potential career in the field of biomedical research, as well as to help them get the most from their time at Stanford.

Scholars must meet the following program expectations and requirements:

  • Work full time in the laboratory; weekend and late night work may be required
  • Attend and participate in all workshops and planned activities
  • Present both oral and poster presentations on summer research at the SSRP Symposium

Given the high demand on each participant’s time and energy, we strongly advise against the involvement in other academic/extracurricular commitments during the summer. If students are interested in taking the GRE exam during their SSRP experience, we suggest that you make arrangements to sit for it at Stanford or in the Bay Area.

Minimum Qualifications and/or Eligibility Requirements: 

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents;
  • Undergraduate students enrolled in accredited four-year colleges or universities in the United States, Puerto Rico or other U.S. territories; and
  • Sophomores, juniors, or non-graduating seniors (who are returning in the fall after SSRP to continue undergraduate studies).
  • Students who, by reason of their culture, class, race, ethnicity, disability, background, work and life experiences, and/or skills and interests would bring diversity (broadly defined) to graduate study in the biomedical and biological sciences.
  • A cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or above; and
  • An interest in pursuing a PhD (or, in exceptional cases, those interested in the MD/PhD will also be considered)

Application Process: 

Submit your application here.

Application Open Date: November 1, 2021
Application Deadline: February 1, 2022 at 11:59 PM PDT
Admission Notifications Sent: March 1 – 31, 2022

Application Deadline: 

Tuesday, February 1, 2022
For more information on this opportunity, please contact: