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2023 Hastings retreat IBSURE interns and graduate student and postdoctoral program mentors.
Description
The Integrative Biology Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) is intended to support scholars who demonstrate passion to engage in original, hands-on research and explore graduate school opportunities with IB faculty. The IB SURE is built around three pillars: (1) a sense of community among scholars; (2) engagement with original research; and (3) mentorship.
SURE participants have the opportunity to:
- Engage in an 10-week mentored summer research experience
- Participate in a retreat at the Hastings Natural History Reservation
- Attend a series of co-curricular research and professional development workshops and seminars
- Receive guidance about graduate school opportunities, including application support
- Expand one’s personal and professional community network
- Present at the end of summer research symposium
IB SURE program intern cohorts 2022 (left) and 2023 (right) at UC Hastings Natural History Reserve.
Funding
Through generous funding from the UC Berkeley Graduate Division, the SURE will support participants with a research stipend, housing and meals for the program duration
Stipend Amount: $5000
Housing and a meal plan will be provided.
SURE Program Dates
Summer 2025 - The application deadline is March 1, 2025
Summer program runs June 6, 2025 - August 15, 2025.
Hastings trip: June 6 - 9, 2025.
Applicants need to be available for that full time and the program is located in Berkeley.
Eligible Scholars
Students interested in pursuing graduate school, including:
- Advanced undergraduate students
- Recent graduates
- Current college seniors
Freshmen and sophomores are ineligible to apply. Undergraduate students must have completed 4 semesters or 6 quarters of study to be eligible.
This program is not suitable for scholars who are interested in medical, dental or veterinary programs.
2023 IB SURE interns Katherine Palomino (left), Justice Williams (center), and Stephen Eun Song (right).
Potential Research Areas
Students will work with labs in the UC Berkeley Department of Integrative Biology.
- Biological Data Science
- Botany (Plant Biology)
- Conservation
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Endocrinology (Hormones)
- Genetics/Genomics
- Human Biology/Disease
- Neurobiology
- Paleontology
- Physiology
- Zoology (Animal Biology)
IB graduate student Kwasi Wrensford demonstrates field work techniques to some of the 2022 IB SURE interns.
Application Process
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
Application components
- Personal Information
- Areas of Research Interest
- Short Answer Questions
- Unofficial Transcripts
- 1 Letter of Recommendation
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Letters of Recommendation Instructions
Letters of Recommendation are due March 1, 2025
One, 1–2-page letter of recommendation is required to apply to IB SURE. Letters can be provided by a past research mentor (including letters co-signed by a faculty member and a graduate student), a teacher or professor, or an academic advisor/mentor.
Application for Summer 2025.
2022 IB SURE interns and graduate student program coordinator at the end of summer celebration.