Programs for Undocumented Students

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Open Quantum Initiative Fellowship, Chicago Quantum Exchange

The Open Quantum Initiative (OQI) Undergraduate Fellowship provides undergraduate students with research experiences working in quantum science laboratories and research groups.

With the support of Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) member and partner institutions this fellowship helps to establish diversity, equity, and inclusion as priorities central to the development of the quantum ecosystem. Through the Fellowship, students expand their understanding of quantum information science and engineering (QISE), connect with leaders in academia and industry, and increase awareness of quantum career opportunities, including the wide range of opportunities to leverage applied quantum research in fields such as drug design, bioimaging, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and finance.

Levels: Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior, Senior (not Graduating)
Citizenship Requirements:  US Citizens, Permanent Residents, International Students attending US Institutions , DACA Eligible or undocumented students
Deadline to Apply: February 10, 2026
Apply

 


University of Michigan Developing Future Biologists

Developing Future Biologists (DFB) is an educational outreach organization led by graduate students and postdocs at the University of Michigan. Our mission is to ensure that the next generation of biologists, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status, can learn the core concepts of developmental biology and are made aware of the vast opportunities that exist to pursue a career in the sciences. DFB organizes a week-long summer short course aimed at teaching undergraduate students fundamental concepts in developmental biology in a small class setting with close instructor-student mentorship. Throughout the week students attend interactive lectures, hands-on lab sections, and professional development workshops.

Citizenship Requirements: none but students must be attending school in the US at the time of application.
Age Requirement; 18 years or older

  • Will be physically located in the United States or its territories at the time of the Course (U.S. citizenship not required)

  • Must be 18 years of age or older (by time of course)

  • Have successfully completed an introductory biology course

  • Note that this course is designed for students with little to no prior research experience

Deadline to Apply Friday, February 6th until 11:59pm EST.

Apply 

 


The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) allows students to participate in hands-on research in the laboratory of an established researcher and APS member for 10 weeks. Students must have had less than nine months of prior laboratory experience.

Fellows have the opportunity to:

  • network with other APS Fellows interested in and conducting biomedical or basic research;
  • explore the nature of research and the scientific process;
  • investigate physiology career options, what it takes to find career success;
  • learn about scientific writing and draft a meeting abstract, learn about common ethical issues in figure and text preparation; and
  • pose their career questions to members of the APS

    Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores & Juniors
    Citizenship Requirements: There are no citizenship requirements
    Minimum GPA: 3.0
    Deadline to Apply: February 2, 2026
    Apply
 

 

 

Carnegie Mellon

CMU’s Robotics Institute Summer Scholars Program brings together undergraduates from around the world to the CMU campus to participate in a eleven-week summer research program.  Participants will work in robotics labs with leaders in the field.

Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and non-graduating Seniors. 
Citizenship Requirements: All no restrictions.
Minimum GPA: 2.8 
Deadline to Apply: Deadline has passed for 2026.
Apply

Carnegie Mellon

Carnegie Mellon’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Software Engineering (REUSE) program is an opportunity for undergraduate students to spend a summer working with some of the world’s leading Software Engineering faculty researchers. A number of projects are available in diverse areas which may include automated bug repair, mining software repositories, green computing, requirements engineering, program analysis, programming languages, and usable programming tools. Accepted students will work closely with CMU faculty and researchers on research problems with the potential for publication and significant impact on the future practice of software engineering.

The program is interested in promoting research opportunities for students traditionally underrepresented in computer science, and for first- and second-year undergraduate students. Neither research experience nor advanced coursework in computer science or software engineering is required.

Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and non-graduating Seniors
Minimum GPA: no restrictions
Citizenship Requirements: No Restrictions
Deadline to Apply: February 1, 2026 at 11:59pm ET
Apply

New York University 
The Simons Foundation, New York University’s Department of Biology and Center for Genomics and Systems Biology offer a summer program for undergraduates with career interests in biological research. This 10-week program places students in laboratories of NYU faculty.


Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and non-graduating seniors
Minimum GPA: Not specified
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens, Permanent Residents or DACA Eligible 
Deadline to Apply: February 15, 2026  11:59 PM ET
Apply

Combinatorics and Algebra REU

Levels; Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Non-Graduating Seniors
Citizenship Requirements: None all undergraduates may apply
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Deadline to Apply: February 13, 2026
Apply

ASPB Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships Application 

The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) fund promising undergraduate students so they can conduct research in plant biology during the early part of their college careers. SURF recipients must present their research at ASPB’s annual Plant Biology meeting in the year following the fellowship award.

Students must secure a mentor 
Faculty Mentors – Students must secure a mentor before submitting an application. The proposed research project must be pursued in the mentor’s laboratory. Mentors must be a member of ASPB, have an ongoing research program of high scientific merit, and demonstrate a commitment to undergraduate education and research. Mentors are expected to attend Plant Biology 2022 in Portland, OR with their SURF student.

Deadline to Apply: February 6 2026
Apply

CalTech

The WAVE Fellows program provides support for undergraduate students, who are underrepresented in STEM and intent on pursuing a Ph.D., to conduct a 10-week summer research project under the mentorship of Caltech faculty. Research opportunities in biology, neuroscience, chemistry, chemical engineering, engineering and applied science, geology, environmental science, sustainability, astronomy, physics, nanotechnology, quantum sciences, humanities, social science, and more!

Levels: Sophomores, Juniors & Non-Graduating Seniors
Citizenship Requirements: US citizens, Permanent Residents, or have DACA status.
Minimum GPA: 3.2
Deadline to Apply: Check website
Apply

CALTECH LIGO PROGRAM

Undergraduates in physics, astronomy and engineering are invited to apply to Caltech’s LIGO Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) program. The program takes place at Caltech or one of the LIGO observatory sites, funded in part through the National Science Foundation.  Undergraduate students from all institutions (both U.S. and foreign) are invited to apply to the program.

Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Non-graduating Seniors
Citizenship Requirements: All students are eligible to apply.  
Minimum GPA: 2.5
Deadline to Apply: Dates for January 11, 2026.
Apply

 

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

The Undergraduate Research Program (URP) at CSHL provides an opportunity for undergraduate scientists from around the world to conduct first-rate research. Students learn the scientific process, technical methods and theoretical principles, and communicate their discoveries to other scientists. Approximately 20 students come to CSHL each summer for the 10-week program, living and working in the exciting Laboratory environment. 
Levels: Current Sophomores & Juniors
Citizenship Requirements: Students of any country are eligible to apply.
Minimum GPA: Not specified 
(However, Successful applicants generally have GPAs around 3.5 or higher in their science and math courses
Deadline to Apply: January 15, 2026
Apply

 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

The MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP) seeks to promote the value of graduate education; to improve the research enterprise through increased diversity; and to prepare and recruit the best and brightest for graduate education at MIT

Levels: Sophomores, Juniors & Non-Graduating Seniors
Citizenship Requirements: U.S. citizens, permanent resident, non-U.S. citizen with DACA, or international student with appropriate visa and work authorizations
Minimum GPA: 3.5
Deadline to Apply:  January 20, 2026
Apply

Cyberinfrastructure (CI) Research for Societal Advancement REU 2026
University of Texas at Austin


Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors & non-graduating Seniors
Minimum GPA: no minimum GPA but should be in good standing. 
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents.  Undergraduate students who are not eligible for NSF funding may still be considered for participation through other sources of funding. 

Deadline to Apply: April 1, 2026 

Apply

University of Minnesota Lando NSF/REU

The Summer Lando/NSF REU is for outstanding national and international undergraduate students. It is designed to encourage students in the chemical sciences to learn more about research in chemistry, and provide them with the opportunity to work in a lab under the direction of a faculty member. We offer a variety of professional and social events for participants throughout the summer.

Applications accepted from students in their sophomore or junior years of undergraduate study in chemistry or closely related fields. This is an international competition. The Lando/NSF REU is open to all students outside the University of Minnesota.

Levels; Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Non-Graduating Seniors
Citizenship Requirements: None all undergraduates may apply
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Deadline to Apply: February 2, 2026
Apply

OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY

The OHSU Equity Research Program offers an exciting opportunity for diverse undergraduate college students to spend eight weeks working on research projects alongside faculty, scientists and graduate students. The program has a variety of tracks including Public Health, Medicine, and Biomedical Sciences, or Nursing in a clinical or community setting. 

Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Non-graduating Seniors
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens, Permanent Residents, and DACA eligible students
Deadline to Apply: January 23, 2026 at 5 P.M. Pacific Time 
Apply

SUMMER HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION PROGRAM WITH SITES INCLUDING HOWARD, UCLA, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

The Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) is a free summer enrichment program focused on improving access to information and resources for college students interested in the health professions. SHPEP’s goal is to strengthen the academic proficiency and career development of students underrepresented in the health professions and prepare them for a successful application and matriculation to health professions schools.

Levels: Freshman and Sophomores
Minimum GPA: 2.5
Citizenship Requirements: an individual granted deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services OR a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident
Deadline:  February 5, 2026  11:59 Eastern Standard Time
Apply

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers a summer research program that provides undergraduate students from populations underrepresented in graduate study at Illinois with an opportunity to explore careers in research. The program at Illinois provides students with an experience that will help strengthen their knowledge, skills, and understanding of graduate school.

Since 1986, Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) at Illinois has brought talented undergraduate students from across the US and its territories, such as Puerto Rico, to our campus as an introduction to graduate study, research, and the admission process

Levels: Juniors and non-graduating Seniors
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens, Permanent Residents, or DACA
Minimum GPA: 2.7
Deadline to Apply: , February 17, 2026.
Apply

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAM

Students selected for summer research at UC San Francisco spend up to ten weeks working with UCSF faculty members on research projects. Participants in the program take part in seminars, lectures, and social events, creating a cohesive and supportive community. At the end of the program, students give presentations of their research and get valuable feedback from students, postdocs, and faculty at UCSF.

Levels: Sophomores & above
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents. Applicants with DACA or AB540 status may also be eligible and should contact GEPAStudentAffairs@ucsf.edu for more information. 
Deadline to Apply:  February 2, 2026 (11:59 p.m. PST).
Apply

UC SAN DIEGO SUMMER TRAINING ACADEMY FOR RESEARCH SUCCESS (STARS)

The University of California at San Diego Summer Training Academy for Research Success (STARS) program is an eight week summer research academy for community college students, undergraduate students, recent college graduates, and masters students. STARS offers student participants a rigorous research opportunity with esteemed UC San Diego faculty, informative transfer and graduate school preparation workshops, and educational, cultural, and social activities in sunny San Diego.

Levels: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and non-graduating seniors
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Citizenship Requirements: AB 540 or DACA students are eligible or US Citizens or Permanent Residents.
Deadline to Apply:
Priority Deadline: January 12, 2026
Rolling admissions until March 2, 2026
Apply

University of Michigan

Entering its 34th year, the University of Michigan Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) is designed for outstanding undergraduate students who are underrepresented in their field of study.

Levels: Juniors & Seniors
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens,  Permanent Residents or non-US Citizens with DACA
Deadline to Apply: Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 11:59 P.M. (EST)
Apply

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT IRVINE

UC Irvine’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program offers undergraduate and master’s diversity students an opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors on research projects and provides an intense course of graduate preparation workshops. The program, which is designed for students who plan to pursue a Ph.D. or M.F.A. degree and enter academic careers, provides the tools needed to facilitate application, admission, and enrollment to graduate school. The SURF program is open to virtually all academic fields at UC Irvine.

Levels: Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors and Master’s Students
Citizenship Requirements: U.S. citizens, permanent residents, AB540 eligible
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Deadline to Apply: January 30, 2026
Apply

Stanford

Stanford’s Science Technology and Reconstructive Surgery (STARS) Program is a 7-week program for high school and undergraduate students considering careers biomedical and biological sciences. Students must be age 16 or older at the time of the program to apply. Students under 18 will require signed parental consent forms to work in a biochemistry laboratory.  For the 2021 program the program may be virtual or in person.

Levels: High School Students, College Freshmen, College Sophomores, College Juniors, and non Graduating College Seniors
Citizenship Requirements: There are no citizenship restrictions
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Deadline to Apply: November 30, 2025
Apply

Stanford

The Stanford Summer Research Program is an umbrella program that hosts students who are funded through various sources, including the Amgen Scholars Program, the Stanford Genetics Department, and the Stanford Medicine Dean’s Office.

Levels: Sophomores, Juniors, and non Graduating Seniors
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens, Permanent Residents, and DACA Eligible.
Minimum GPA: 3.0 to 3.2 depending on funding source
Deadline to Apply: February 1, 2026
Apply

STANFORD MEDICINE CARDIOVASCULAR INSITUTE

In this ten-week program students will work on cardiovascular research with Stanford faculty on research supported by the American Heart Association, The National Institutes of Health, and the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute. Participants will receive a stipend for their work. 
Levels: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
Citizenship Requirements: U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA recipients, or foreign nationals holding a student, exchange, or permanent resident visa, including an F-1, H1, H1B, J1, PR, TC, or TN visa are eligible for this program
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Application deadline: December 19, 2025.
Apply