BURST Program

Summer research opportunity

The Biology Undergraduate Research in Science and Technology (BURST) fellowship program is designed to give qualified UMD Biology majors the opportunity to take part in an in-depth summer research project. For students interested in pursuing further education once they attain their bachelor’s degree, this is an excellent opportunity to experience what in-depth research outside the classroom is like. The BURST program is intended to be an intensive research experience for students who already have some less intensive experience (e.g. UROP, lab volunteering, etc.).

The BURST program runs for ten weeks from Late May to early August. Fellows are expected to work full-time during that period. Due to the nature of biological research, this may on occasion involve working in the evening or on weekends. Fellows are expected to be willing to make reasonable accommodations in this regard as required for their specific research projects. The BURST program will end with a poster session in early August at which fellows will present their research to other BURST fellows, members of the UMD Department of Biology, and donors who have contributed to funding the BURST program. In addition, it is expected that many BURST research projects will lead to peer-reviewed publications in which the BURST fellow will be a co-author. This may involve additional participation beyond the ten-week summer period for data analysis and manuscript preparation. All BURST fellows will be appropriately recognized for their contributions to research that leads to a peer-reviewed publication.

Research Advisers: Biology faculty in this list.

Duration: 10 weeks

Stipend: $6,100

Research expenses: $600

Housing, health insurance, & transportation: Not included.

Requirements: Attend weekly seminars, research group meetings, recreational activities, and present at the Poster Symposium.

Application Details

The application will be accessible on the SCSE Undergraduate Research Page starting January 14, 2026. 

Applicants will be notified in March if they will be offered a BURST fellowship, and will be expected to accept or decline the fellowship within one week.

Eligibility:

• UMD Biology major
• Minimum 3.0 GPA in Biology major coursework (per APAS)
• Must be returning to UMD in the fall semester
• Students are not eligible to receive summer UROP funding concurrently with this award
• Please note that this is a full time research commitment. While May semester courses that conclude in early June may be allowed, students should not enroll in additional courses during the summer

Application Material:

• Essay describing past research experience (if any) and future plans in biology (500 words limit)
• Unofficial transcript(s)
• List up to three Biology faculty (unranked) you are interested in working with

For questions, please contact Jared Strasburg at [email protected]. The BURST Fellowship Committee and the UMD Department of Biology reserve the right to not award a fellowship if no applicant is deemed as meeting established criteria.