2023 Simons Foundation Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Neuroscience (SURFiN)

The Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) and Neuroscience Collaborations are pleased to announce the launch of the Simons Foundation Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Neuroscience (SURFiN). Our request for applications (RFA) from interested undergraduate students opens today, March 23, 2023.

The goal of the Simons Foundation Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Neuroscience (SURFiN) Program is to spark and sustain interest in neuroscience among undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds underrepresented in neuroscience research. SURFiN provides funds and programming for undergraduate research assistants (fellows) to work in-person in Simons Foundation-supported neuroscience laboratories under the mentorship of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers (mentors) during the 2023-2024 academic year. SURFiN is open to undergraduate students who identify as women, individuals who are Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx or Native American or American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders, individuals with disabilities and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Individuals identifying as LGBTQIA+ within the above listed communities are encouraged to apply. Applicants must live within a reasonable commute of an available lab opportunity in order to engage in regular in-person lab work. This year’s opportunities are located in almost 30 cities across the U.S., Canada and Europe. These include Washington, D.C. and cities in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Washington; and in Austria, Canada, France, Italy and the United Kingdom. Prior laboratory experience is not required.

The deadline for applications and letters of recommendation is May 4, 2023. Detailed information, eligibility criteria and application instructions are available here.

Informational Sessions

For instructions on how to submit an application through SAM, the Simons Foundation will be holding an informational session on Tuesday, April 4, 12:00–1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Click here to register. A recording of this session will be available online.

For an overview of the SURFiN Program, interested undergraduate students are encouraged to attend a virtual informational webinar on Wednesday, April 5, 12:00–1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and may register here. A recording of this session will be available online.

Please forward this RFA to any undergraduate students in your network. Contact SURFiN@simonsfoundation.org with any questions about the program.