Looking to gain hands-on research experience in the U.S. this summer? Duke University offers several competitive summer programs for undergraduate students, including the SURF (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship) and SROP (Summer Research Opportunity Program).
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Both provide stipends, housing, and immersive research—a great platform if you’re considering graduate school or building your research profile.
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Check out our other blogs for more scholarship tips and strategies to maximize your chances. Good Luck!
What’s on Offer?
| Program | Duration & Focus | Stipend & Housing | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| SURF (Biological & Brain Sciences) | ~8 weeks, rising Duke sophomores | US $4,000 + campus housing; travel support if eligible | Rising sophomores at Duke; open to all citizenships undergraduateresearch.duke.edu |
| SROP (Biomedical research) | ~9 weeks, PhD-path prep | Competitive stipend, campus housing, seminars The Graduate SchoolThe Graduate School | Rising juniors/seniors nearing graduation with bachelor’s degree remaining; U.S. citizens, Puerto Rico residents, and underrepresented groups encouraged The Graduate SchoolThe Graduate School |
🎯 Why Apply?
These programs are more than just summers—they’re built to:
- Give you real lab or field research experience with Duke faculty
- Help build your CV/UI for graduate school
- Provide stipend + housing + travel support
- Offer professional development: seminars, mentors, poster sessions, and networking
- Serve as a launchpad for PhD applications or research careers
📝 Application Tips & Timeline
SURF (Rising Duke Sophomores)
- Deadline: February 1, 2025
- Decision notice: March 7, 2025
- Commitment: Full-time participation for 8 weeks; no classes or outside work allowed Wikipédia+15undergraduateresearch.duke.edu+15undergraduateresearch.duke.edu+15
- Apply via: Duke Experiences portal (undergraduate URS office)
- Required: Letter of support from a Duke faculty mentor. Written responses limited to 200 words each Wikipédia+6undergraduateresearch.duke.edu+6undergraduateresearch.duke.edu+6
SROP (Research-intending juniors/seniors)
- Deadline: February 10, 2025
- Decision notice: Around March
- Dates: Likely May–July 2025 (~9 weeks) undergraduateresearch.duke.edu+8The Graduate School+8Asian/Pacific Studies Institute+8Reddit+1Reddit+1
- Eligibility: Must have at least one semester left; non-Duke students can apply but specific citizenship rules apply
- Apply via Duke Graduate School portal
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying after the deadline—programs fill quickly
- Submitting incomplete references (faculty letter needed)
- Treating stipend as grant vs taxable income—international students may owe IRS taxes! Reddit+15undergraduateresearch.duke.edu+15The Graduate School+15
- Mixing program commitments—SURF/SROP require full availability
- Assuming SURF runs in Humanities—Social Sciences/Humanities arm not available in 2025 The Graduate School+3undergraduateresearch.duke.edu+3undergraduateresearch.duke.edu+3
👩🔬 Real Student Feedback
Though specific testimonials aren’t published, URS office reports ~100 SURF applicants annually for ~20 spots—so it’s competitive. admissions focus on written applicant responses and faculty support over GPA.undergraduateresearch.duke.edu
✅ Quick Pre-Application Checklist
- [ ] I qualify for SURF or SROP (check citizenship and student status)
- [ ] I’ve identified and contacted a Duke faculty mentor
- [ ] Completed application with <=200‑word written responses
- [ ] Submitted faculty letter of support with application
- [ ] Prepared for full-time summer commitment, no outside work
- [ ] Budgeted for tax effects of stipend (for international students)
🌟 Why This Experience Matters
Programs like SURF and SROP offer rare research opportunities with financial support and professional training—ideal if you’re aiming for graduate school or a research career. They also build real mentorship connections inside Duke—opening doors for future projects or programs.
🔗 Where to Start
- SURF Program (2025 Biological & Brain track): [Duke Undergraduate Research Support Office – SURF]global.duke.edu+8undergraduateresearch.duke.edu+8dcri.org+8The Graduate Schoolundergraduateresearch.duke.edu
- SROP (Biomed Research for non-Duke undergrads): See duke graduate school siteThe Graduate SchoolThe Graduate School
- Deans’ Summer Fellowship (DSRF) for Trinity College students—another option for Duke undergrads
