Positions

Each year, up to 14 undergraduate students from around the U.S. come to Mayo Clinic's campus to take part in the Nephrology and Urology Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (nuSURF).

Admission requirements

Prerequisites

You can apply for the Nephrology and Urology Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (nuSURF) if you are seriously considering a biomedical research career as a Ph.D., M.D., M.D.-Ph.D., D.V.M. (or equivalent). Please see additional prerequisites listed on our Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) application page.

Non-U.S. citizen applicants

International students who are attending a U.S. college or university as full-time students are eligible to apply. International students are responsible for confirming their eligibility with their academic institution and obtaining all required CPT, OPT, or other employment authorization prior to the start of the program. Mayo Clinic does not provide visa sponsorship for SURF participants.

Additional information regarding federal student employment regulations is available through the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services.

How to apply

Application timeline

Your application and all supporting documentation must be received by Feb. 3, 2027.

The 2027 nuSURF program dates are scheduled for June 1-Aug. 6, 2027, and attendance at orientation is required. Students must begin the program on June 1 to participate. No alternative program dates will be offered.

Application instructions

Complete the following steps to apply:

1. Create an account to begin the online Application for Admission
• Select - Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
• Select – Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
2. Complete each section of the application and submit
• In the Program of Interest section of the application, please check the box to indicate your interest in applying for the SURF experience which focuses on nephrology and urology.
3. After submission, view the required Supplemental Items and Documents
• Upload each required item in the Supplemental Items section 
• Complete the Recommendation Request section 

Additional required items

• Personal statement to include a one to two page description of your career goals, and the steps you have already taken to achieve those goals.
• Unofficial transcripts of courses from all colleges or universities attended may be uploaded in the Supplemental Items area for application purposes. An official transcript is preferred.
• Two letters of recommendation (including letters from research mentors) are required and must be completed in the Recommendation Request section. Each recommender will receive an email with a link to complete a rating form and upload a letter.

Acceptance

Offers of acceptance will go out by email on a rolling basis from mid-February through mid-March. After the acceptance process is complete, the remaining applicants will be notified by email.