The Duke University Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) is a 9-week training program designed to give motivated undergraduate students hands-on experience in graduate-level biomedical research. We welcome applicants from around the United States and Puerto Rico who are seriously considering joining a Ph.D. graduate program after completing their undergraduate degree. Students who have already graduated with a Bachelor's degree are not eligible; Students must have at least 1 semester left to complete before graduating.
Applications for Summer 2025 Now Open
The Duke SROP directors and our graduate student mentors look forward to hosting you in our upcoming summer program!
Application Deadline is February 10, 2025. Applicants will be notified of decisions in March.
SROP 2025 is tentatively scheduled for May 27 – July 25.
Students from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Duke SROP emphasizes direct laboratory experience. Students spend a majority of their time learning research techniques in the laboratory, acquiring data, troubleshooting methods, attending lab meetings, presenting data, interacting with members of other labs, -- in other words, conducting themselves just as if they were in graduate school! Each student is mentored by a faculty mentor, solving real research problems in an active biomedical research laboratory. (See our PBS NewsHour profile)
In addition to laboratory research, the program features:
- Weekly research seminars and roundtable discussions
- Academic and career-planning workshops
- Research ethics topics and motivating success in graduate school
- Advice preparing applications and interview techniques for graduate school
- Weekly social activities, including dinner outings, movies, and games
- Closing symposia where the students present their research in oral presentations and an interdisciplinary campus poster session
Students receive shared on-campus apartment accommodation, travel assistance, and a competitive stipend.