Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)

The UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy invites undergraduate students to apply for the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program. The objective of this program is to introduce undergraduate students to biomedical research in order to heighten interest in science as a career and increase the number of young scientists entering the biomedical research disciplines.

The SURF program is located on UIC’s West Campus, in the center of the Illinois Medical District–one of the largest concentrations of advanced health care facilities in the nation– and just minutes from downtown Chicago. Our location gives us convenient access to a diverse range of cutting-edge research, collaborators and patient populations.

The SURF Program is funded by an institutional award from the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET).

Program Dates

The SURF program runs for 10 weeks, starting on Monday, June 1, 2026 and ending on Friday, August 7, 2026.

SURF Program Description

ASPET-sponsored SURF program is for undergraduate students interested in biomedical research.  Students will work on independent research projects in the laboratories of their faculty mentors.  Before beginning work, students will attend relevant laboratory safety training.  In addition to individual mentoring, the program offers number of enrichment activities:  research seminars, advanced research instrumentation workshops, career day at a local pharmaceutical company, instructions on how to prepare a scientific presentation, practice talks and  a mini-symposium where all the participants present their research projects in front of the College audience.  SURF participants will receive compensation of $7,000 for the 10 week period. The SURF program will pay for travel to/from UIC at the beginning/end of the summer. Details will be discussed with fellows once they are accepted into the program.

 

The 2026 Application Cycle is CLOSED! Applicants can expect to hear by email by April 1, 2026.

Participating in the SURF program laid a strong foundation for success in research throughout my medical school career. I am very thankful for the opportunity to dive into biopharmaceutical research in the world of breast cancer treatment, as it sparked an interest in women’s health and oncology that played a role in my decision to pursue a career as an Obstetrician/Gynecologist today!

Allysen Schreiber, MD  |  Resident Physician, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, & 2017 SURF scholar

After completing the SURF program at UIC, it became clear to me that I wanted to continue to pursue research, which led me to start applying to Chemistry Ph.D. programs. There is no doubt in my mind that the rich experiences, mentorship, and exposure to research that I gained through the SURF program at UIC allowed me to get accepted into these graduate programs. I am incredibly grateful to everyone at UIC for making this internship such a positive, constructive experience.

Marla Gravino  |  PhD Student & 2022 SURF Scholar

Participating in research through the College of Pharmacy was an excellent method for exposing me to different research techniques and applications of organic chemistry. It was wonderful to learn first-hand about different chemical processes commonly employed in medicinal chemistry research, and I am excited to bring my newly acquired knowledge back to my home institution and help train other students I work with.

2017 SURF Scholar

As of the end of the 2025 SURF program...

  • > 74 % of UIC SURF fellows who have graduated have gone onto either graduate or professional school

  • Applicants have come from 39 states and Puerto Rico

  • 83 publications have been authored by former SURF fellows