Sanford Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)

Explore Scientific Research Careers

Sanford Research offers the Sanford Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR), which provides opportunities for undergraduate students interested in research careers to participate in research.

This dynamic summer program allows you to apply your classroom knowledge by working in a laboratory under the supervision of a principal investigator and interacting with research teams that include graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

In addition to obtaining research experience in state-of-the-art facilities, you will attend weekly career and professional development workshops, as well as build your presentation and communication skills through scientific presentations. You will also benefit from the collegial and interactive research environment and enjoy the social community in Sioux Falls, a small city with an abundance of dining, shopping, sporting events and entertainment.

Summer Program Tracks
REU Site in Cellular and Molecular Biology: This National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded opportunity provides research experience in basic cellular and molecular biology. Students perform cutting-edge research in diverse areas, such as signal transduction, intracellular trafficking, cell proliferation and differentiation, organelle function and development.

Pediatric Biomedical Research Program: This National Institutes of Health (NIH) R25-funded opportunity provides research experience in biomedical areas directly and broadly related to pediatric health and disease. Projects range from basic studies of underlying disease mechanisms to translational research aimed at developing novel disease therapies.

Summer Program Details

• The SPUR program schedule is 10 weeks from May 26 - July 31, 2026. You must commit to working the entire ten weeks and participate in all program workshops.
• You will work under the direct supervision of a Sanford Research mentor as part of the mentor’s research team. 
• You will prepare and present a short project proposal at the beginning of the program and a poster describing your research results in a symposium at the conclusion of the program.
• You will attend an introductory laboratory methods boot camp and weekly workshops geared toward career preparation and professional development, including topics such as ethics in research, science career opportunities and applying to graduate school.
• You will have the opportunity to attend regular research seminars and data clubs.
• You will engage in outreach activities to bring science to the local community.
• We organize social activities to enable casual interaction with other participants and mentors.
• We provide an educational stipend of $6,000 to each student.
• You can live free-of-charge on the University of Sioux Falls campus in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
• Free daily shuttle is offered to students who do not have their own transportation. 

Student Eligibility

College students majoring in the life sciences or other STEM fields are eligible to apply for the SPUR program. Any students funded by federal grants from the NSF or NIH are required by the United States government to be US citizens or permanent residents. You should be in your freshman, sophomore, or junior year at the time of application and should be interested in exploring careers in research and graduate school opportunities.

You are encouraged to apply if you attend an institution that does not have substantial research opportunities or are underrepresented in the biological sciences. This includes underrepresented minority students, first-generation college students, individuals from lower-income backgrounds or rural communities, students with disabilities and veterans or members of the Armed Services.

How to Apply

All applicants will apply through the NSF REU ETAP system, and candidates will be considered for either the NSF-funded track in cell and molecular biology or the NIH-funded track in pediatric biomedical research.

Applications will require the following:

• An official or unofficial transcript from the applicant’s college
• Two letters of recommendation, at least one of which must be from a college professor

The application deadline is Friday, January 31st, 2026. All materials must be received by the deadline. Late applications will not be considered.

Program Application: Application for summer 2026 will be live on November 1st, 2025.

For questions about the program or the application process or for inquiries about research during the academic year, please email or call (605) 312-6590.