Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE-REU) Program in Biological Mechanisms at UNC-Chapel Hil
Opportunity Description:
The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE-REU) Program in Biological Mechanisms at UNC-Chapel Hill provides talented undergraduate students the opportunity to carry out independent research projects under the guidance of faculty mentors to study a variety of approaches to mechanistic studies. For 10 weeks during the summer, undergraduate students are immersed in the SURE-REU (REU program) experience; they work side-by-side with graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty who serve as role models and as mentors. They discover how modern biological research is formulated, carried out, and reported in an environment that stresses collaboration and multidisciplinary approaches to problem-solving.
SURE-REU undergraduates acquire skills critical to success in research and teaching careers and to gaining entry to top graduate departments of their choice. Making informed career choices is a major theme of the Program; participants hear about careers and lifestyles in forums with scientists inside and outside of academia and with current graduate students and post-doctoral fellows at UNC-Chapel Hill. Our journal club and seminar program expose students to emerging areas of research and provide insight into the scientific method. At the end of the Program, all students present their work at a campus wide Summer Research Symposium and Poster Session.
We currently expect the 2022 SURE-REU program will begin on Monday, May 23rd and end on Friday, July 29th, but precise dates may change as we move forward.
Minimum Qualifications and/or Eligibility Requirements:
Preference will be given to:
- Students in a science major at an undergraduate institution with limited research opportunities
- Students with limited or no past research experience
- GPA ≥ 3.0
- Personal Statement
- Minimum of 1 reference letter from a science instructor or mentor
- US citizen or permanent resident
Admission is limited to rising sophomores, juniors and seniors. First-generation college students and students from groups under-represented in the sciences are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application Process:
When completing the online application, please have the following materials available:
- An essay describing your career goals and reasons for wanting to participate in a summer research program
- Names, email addresses and phone numbers of faculty that will be submitting letters of recommendation – they will receive a link to complete their recommendation
- Your current cumulative GPA
- An unofficial transcript. This should be a PDF or similar file format listing all the college courses you have taken and the grades received.
- A resume or C.V. that outlines your educational and research experiences, including presentations and publications (if applicable).
You will be required to enter information and upload your transcript, essay, and CV into the online application. You will not be allowed to submit an incomplete application so it is essential that you have these materials ready before submitting an application. Instructions for submitting the online application can be found here.
Your letter writers will receive an email once you submit your application with a link to upload their letter of recommendation. Please note that they will not receive this link until you submit your completed application.
Review of the applications will begin on January 15. For full consideration, submission of applications, including all supporting materials, must be complete by February 18th. Offers of admission will begin in mid-February.