Application and Program Dates
The dates of the 2024 program are May 27 through Aug. 3, 2024. Application will open on November 15, 2023.
Program Eligibility
Non-MIT undergraduates who meet the following requirements are eligible:
- Full-time undergraduate students at a U.S. university or college
- Current sophomores, juniors, or non-graduating seniors
- Successfully completed introductory courses in the life sciences
- Minimum GPA of 3.5 in all STEM courses
- Must have prior research experience
- Demonstrated interest in basic research and in a career in the sciences
- Must provide all transcripts
- Available to begin the first day of program, no exceptions
- International students on F-1 visas with outstanding academic records who meet ALL of the above criteria are eligible
Program Goals
The Bernard S. and Sophie G. Gould MIT Summer Research Program in Biology (BSG-MSRP-Bio) is offered in collaboration with MIT’s Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences. The program provides a unique opportunity for students who do not have access to cutting-edge research facilities at their own institution to conduct supervised research in a fast-paced environment with state-of-the-art research facilities, and to experience first hand the academic, social, and cultural environment at MIT.
The program is designed to encourage students from low income families, first-generation college students, students from socio-economically-disadvantaged backgrounds, veterans and students with disabilities to attend graduate school and pursue a career in basic research by providing them the opportunity to conduct supervised research in an outstanding research institution, in a supportive learning environment with plenty of interaction with graduate students and faculty. Over 85% of past participants have enrolled in highly ranked graduate programs within three years of completing this summer program. A number of our summer students have been awarded Goldwater Scholarships, pre-doctoral NSF fellowships (GRFP), or Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Gilliam Fellowships for Advanced Study.
Priority will be given to students studying at non-research intensive institutions, small colleges or public universities.
MIT undergraduates are not eligible for this program. If you are an MIT undergrad, see the UROP Program website.
Program Structure
During the program, students work full-time in the laboratory, participate in weekly meetings with faculty, and attend weekly academic seminars. The weekly seminars are designed to help students improve their presentation skills and to be more competitive graduate applicants, and cover topics such as applying to graduate school, giving an oral presentation, writing a research abstract, and learning about various career options available to PhD graduates. Students will also have the opportunity to attend departmental retreats, research seminars and symposia, learn about the graduate application process and meet with various MIT faculty members. The program solicits constructive and timely feedback from the students through the use of surveys.
At the end of the program students give a poster presentation on their research, submit a 5-page research summary, a one-page personal statement about their summer experience at MIT and complete a program evaluation.
All BSG-MSRP-Bio participants are eligible for application fee waivers for any MIT graduate program.
Program Features
All students accepted into the program receive:
- Campus housing in shared suites
- A weekly stipend
- Travel allowance to and from MIT (domestic travel only)
- Peer mentoring
Extracurricular activities
As part of the program, we organize social activities and weekend outings. Past activities have included:
- Visit to Biotech labs
- Tour of Boston and the Freedom Trail
- One-day trip to Martha’s Vineyard
- 4th of July barbecue
- Charles River cruise
You will also have subsidized access to MIT athletic activities.
Online Application
| Deadline | Date |
| Application opens | November 15, 2023. |
| Application deadline | January 30, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Late submissions will not be accepted |
| Admission decisions | By March 15, 2024 |
Application Requirements
- Online application form and CV
- 1-page personal statement
- Unofficial college transcript (submitted electronically)
- Three letters of reference from science faculty* (submitted electronically)
* At least one letter must be from a research mentor or lab supervisor. Students with no prior research experience are not eligible. You MUST include letters of reference from your most recent research experiences.
If you have additional questions about the application, contact msrpbio@mit.edu.
Program Funding
This summer internship program is funded in part by the MIT Department of Biology, the Department of Chemistry, the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, the McGovern Institute, the Simons Center for the Social Brain, and generous gifts from private donors. Students with external funding are also encouraged to apply.
Additional Resources
- Science Magazine: Making Your Summer Research Internship a Good One
- A guide for effective scientific posters
