UM-SMART Undergrad Summer Program

Participants in UM-SMART can expect to:

• Spend approximately 90% of their time under the direction of a faculty mentor in a research laboratory. The research experience is the core of the program and provides valuable experiences to support future applications. Students also have opportunities for professional development as detailed below. (We are not able to provide opportunities in public health, the social sciences or humanities).
• Receive a stipend of $4,700 plus double-occupancy dormitory housing on campus. A food allowance is provided to be used for meals at dining facilities on campus. Transportation costs up to $500 are reimbursed with receipts.
• Gain clinical exposure by participating in two half-day physician shadowing experiences
• Participate in self-paced online MCAT preparation
• Participate in a research symposium that includes an oral and poster presentation on campus with undergraduate students from other University of Michigan biomedical research summer programs
• Connect with a "Big Sib" student advisor who is currently in the MSTP; Enjoy several social activities with the MSTP fellows
• Attend UM-SMART specific seminars to learn more about the MD | PhD application process, career paths for physician scientists, and biomedical science
• Participate in a mock interview with a member of our Admissions Committee

All students interested in enhancing their competitiveness for MD | PhD programs are encouraged to apply, including those who are from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds and/or from groups that are underrepresented in medicine. We are committed to a holistic review of each and every application.

To be considered for acceptance in UM-SMART, applicants must:

• Be a current undergraduate student (completed at least sophomore year by June 1, 2026). We do not accept students who are applying to medical or graduate school in 2025 for possible admission in 2026.
• Be a US citizen or permanent resident of the United States
• Have completed a physiology, biology, biochemistry or organic chemistry course, preferably with lab
• Have at least 100 hours of experience in a research lab by June 1, 2026
• Submit two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a research mentor or the instructor of a laboratory course
• Maintain a 3.2 cumulative grade point average or above
• Show proof of health insurance

Applicants selected as finalists for the UM-SMART Program will be contacted to participate in a virtual interview.

The goal of the UM-SMART summer research program is to help students decide if a career as a physician-scientist is right for them, and to enhance competitiveness when applying to MD | PhD programs.

The application for the UM-SMART Summer Undergraduate Research Program for summer 2026 is now closed. The application for summer 2027 will open in late fall 2027.

Steps to apply include creating a SMApply account, completing an application form, uploading unofficial college transcripts and requesting two letters of recommendation. 

The application deadline for summer 2026 was January 23. The application deadline for the summer 2027 program will be announced when the application opens in late fall. The deadline is typically in January. 

Completed applications are due January 23, 2026.  The review process begins at the beginning of February and we anticipate informing applicants about virtual interviews at the end of February or beginning of March 2026.  We anticipate notifying all applicants of their status by the end of March. 

The UM-SMART summer research program is planned for Tuesday, May 26, 2026 to Sunday, August 2, 2026.  We anticipate residence hall move-in to be May 23, 2026. Program dates are not flexible.  In order to get the most benefit from the program, you must be able to participate in laboratory work for about eight hours a day, five days a week for the duration of the 10-week program. All UM-SMART fellows are required to attend UM-SMART Orientation on the first morning of the program. 

First, check to ensure that the email you entered is correct and there are no spelling mistakes.  If the email is listed incorrectly, you will need to delete your request and start a new one.  WARNING: Deleting the request will rescind the invitation and delete any progress the recommender may have made on their task. Once you send them another request they will be able to start a new recommendation form.

If the email is correct, have the recommender check their Spam/Junk Folder.  If they aren’t able to locate the email in any inbox, Resend the Invitation. Click to edit the Get a Recommendation task and Resend the Invitation to them. Repeat step 2 if necessary.

If neither of these options resolve the issue, have the recommender contact the SM support team for Login Assistance. It is important that they contact the SM support team themselves with no CC's on the email. 

Eligible applicants must have completed a physiology, biology, biochemistry or organic chemistry course, preferably with lab.  You also must maintain at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average.

No, we do not accept applications from students who are true freshman.  Students must have completed their sophomore year by the program start.

Yes, we do accept applications from undergraduate seniors graduating in spring 2026, however we do not accept students who are applying to medical or graduate school in 2025 for possible matriculation in 2026.

In order to be eligible for the UM-SMART program, applicants must have at least 100 hours of experience in a research lab by June 1, 2026.  This is in addition to completing a lab associated with a science course.  If at this point you do not have at least 100 hours of research experience, we recommend exploring additional research opportunities and applying in a future year.

No. We only accept U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with a social security number. 

Yes, at this time we are planning to provide double-occupancy residence hall housing on campus.

A food allowance is provided to be used for meals at dining facilities on campus.

UM-SMART Fellows working in a lab receive a stipend of $4,700. The stipend is paid in three payments over the course of the 10-week program.

Transportation costs to and from Ann Arbor up to $500 are reimbursed with receipts.

Each year we accept about eight UM-SMART fellows.

The UM-SMART Program Director assigns labs and mentors based on research interest, availability and mentoring expertise.