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Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) at the Medical College of Wisconsin

The Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) has been offered at the Medical College of Wisconsin for 40 years. During that time, SPUR has hosted hundreds of students who have since made significant contributions to science and humanity through their current positions as teachers, instructors, professors, researchers, industry professionals, government leaders and clinicians.  SPUR hosts roughly 35 participants each summer from across the country who gain valuable research experience, refine critical thinking skills, build upon academic and professional networks and are introduced to various disciplines of science.  Participation in SPUR is intended for students who are currently enrolled at an accredited college or university who intend to pursue scientific-based graduate studies. 
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Over the last 5 years...

40
Average number of participants each year
10%
Placement percentage
85
Schools represented by program participants
25
States across the U.S. that participants have come from

SPUR Application Information

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Eligibility and Application

Applications must be submitted and complete prior to the application deadline. A complete application includes a submitted online application, two letters of recommendation and official transcript(s). The letters of recommendation must be written by current and/or former professors/instructors or advisors, and should convey the applicant's interest in the sciences and research. Transcripts must be received from any current or previously attended college/university.

 

The online application requires applicants to preference their three top areas of research interest. The areas available to choose from are representative of the areas that have traditionally hosted SPUR participants. Faculty will review applications primarily based around the research areas that applicants preference. It is the faculty who choose who they want to host as part of the program.

 

Previous laboratory experience is preferred but not required. Participants will need to adjust accordingly to working in various laboratory settings.

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Timeline

All application documentation (online form, letters of recommendation and transcript) must be submitted and/or postmarked by the application deadline.The application for SPUR '27 is now open and the deadline is February 1, 2027. Transcripts can be sent electronically via email to spur@mcw.edu or sent to the following address:

 

MCW Graduate School (SPUR)
8701 Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226

 

Please arrange for two (2) recommenders to complete our online questionnaires. 

 

Applicants are typically notified around mid-April regarding their status. Applicants chosen to participate are sent an offer letter via email. Upon accepting the offer, the applicant's participation in SPUR is contingent upon completing and successfully passing a background check.

 

SPUR ’27 is scheduled to begin Wednesday, June 2, 2027 and conclude Friday, August 6, 2027. Participants must be able to provide a full-time effort (40 hours/week) and be present for the full duration of the program.

Compensation

Applicants selected to participate in SPUR receive a stipend and are provided housing on an as-needed basis. The stipend for 2027 is $4,500.00, and is provided to participants in two equal payments. The first payment is issued nearly halfway through the program, while the second payment is issued at the end of the program. Participants living outside of the greater Milwaukee area are provided with housing at no additional cost and is in addition to the stipend they receive.

 

Participants are not provided with reimbursement for travel nor do they typically receive a meal plan.

Supplemental Information

All participants are required to provide...

 

  • Proof of health insurance
  • Payroll Verification
  • Emergency Contact Information

 

...following acceptance and successful completion of a background check. Additional documentation may be required as well.

International Students

International students studying at US domestic institutions on a F-1 visa are eligible to apply and participate in the program. The F-1 status is required for participation. All international students accepted into the program must work with their on-campus international student advisor. You will need to start the application process for OPT/CPT. If you receive an offer contact the international student advisor on your campus ASAP. Additional information is required from international students from the Medical College of Wisconsin. Please contact spur@mcw.edu for additional information.

Frequently Asked Questions

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How long is the program?
SPUR is a full-time summer program over the course of 10 weeks. For the 2027 program, participants are scheduled to attend from June 2 through August 6 and are required to commit to 40 hours per week for the full duration.
Where does SPUR take place?
SPUR takes place at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
What types of research are available?
SPUR participants may explore research across a variety of scientific and biomedical disciplines. Applicants select their top three research interests when applying. Available areas reflect the departments, institutes, and centers that have traditionally hosted SPUR participants. Faculty members review applications and select the students they wish to host.
Who is eligible to apply?
SPUR is intended for undergraduate students currently enrolled at an accredited college or university who intend to pursue scientific-based graduate studies.
Is previous research or lab experience required?
No. Previous lab experience is preferred but is not required.
What materials are required for the application?

A complete application includes:

  • A submitted online application.
  • Two letters of recommendation.
  • Transcripts from every college or university attended. 
All required materials must be submitted or postmarked by the application deadline.
Can I submit my application if some materials are missing?
Yes, you may submit your application before all materials have been received, as long as all required materials are submitted by the application deadline. Your application will not be considered complete until all required materials have been received.
When is the application deadline?
The application timeline for SPUR 2027 is February 1, 2027.
How are SPUR participants selected?
Faculty members review applications with consideration given to applicants' preferred research areas. Faculty members make the final decisions about which students they will host.
When will I find out whether I have been accepted?
Applicants are typically notified around mid-April. Students selected for SPUR receive an offer letter by email. Participation is contingent upon accepting the offer and successfully completing a background check.
Who should write my letters of recommendation?
Letters should be written by current or former professors, instructors, or academic advisors who can speak to your interest in science and research. Applicants should arrange for two recommenders to complete the online recommendation questionnaires.
Do SPUR participants receive a stipend?
Yes. Selected participants receive a stipend of $4,500.
Is housing provided?
Yes. Participants living outside the greater Milwaukee area are provided with housing at no additional cost, in addition to their stipend.
Is travel to Milwaukee reimbursed?
No. Travel expenses are not provided. Applicants should plan accordingly when considering the cost of traveling to and from Milwaukee.
Are meals provided?
Participants do not typically receive a meal plan. Applicants should plan for their own meal expenses unless other arrangements are communicated by the program.
Can international students apply to SPUR?
International students studying at U.S. institutions on an F-1 visa are eligible to apply. F-1 status is required for participation. International students should consult their institution's international student advisor for guidance.
What should international students do if they receive an offer?
Accepted international students must work with their institution's international student advisor to begin the appropriate CPT or OPT application process. Students should contact their advisor as soon as possible after receiving an offer.
Are there additional requirements for international students?
International students may have additional requirements if accepted. Contact the SPUR team at spur@mcw.edu for more information.
Will participating in SPUR guarantee admission to an MCW graduate program?
Participation in SPUR is intended to provide research experience and introduce students to graduate-level scientific research. Participation in SPUR does not guarantees admission to an MCW graduate program.
Can I participate if I cannot commit to the entire program?
Participants are expected to commit to the full program and provide a full-time effort of 40 hours per week. Students who cannot meet this commitment are not eligible to participate in the program.
Where can I learn more about MCW research opportunities?
Prospective applicants can explore the MCW departments, institutes, and centers located on the SPUR webpage to learn more about research areas that have hosted participants in the past.
Who should I contact if I have additional questions?
MCW Graduate School — SPUR
8701 Watertown Plank Road
Milwaukee, WI 53226

Email: spur@mcw.edu

Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the webpages of the MCW departments, institutes and centers listed below to further review the areas of research that previous SPUR participants have been exposed to.

Anesthesiology

Advanced Ocular Imaging Program

Biochemistry

Biomedical Engineering

Biophysics

Cancer Center

Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy

Center for Bioethics & Medical Humanities

Center for Advancing Population Science (CAPS)

Children's Research Institute

Clinical & Translational Science Institute

Division of Epidemiology

Medical College of Wisconsin Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Institute for Genomic Medicine and Precision Therapeutics 

Institute for Health & Humanity

Microbiology & Immunology

Neuroscience Research Center

Pharmacology and Toxicology

Physiology

Participant Testimonials

“These ten weeks have been one of the most rewarding experiences of my undergraduate career. I am elated to have had the opportunity to work with fantastic faculty members and peers every day.”

Kriti Acharya, Loras College

June 2016

“I will cherish the experience that I gained from this program, and I am thankful that MCW does this for undergraduate students. I will recommend this program to anyone who’s teetering with the decision of what they want to do after they finish their undergraduate degree in science.”

Kathryn Wagner, Viterbo University

June 2016

“I gained very valuable experience and relationships through the SPUR program this year. I am really grateful for the opportunity I have had to be a part of this lab and this program.”

Matthew Weyer, Macalester College

June 2016

Contact Us

MCW Graduate School
8701 Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226

(414) 955-8218
(414) 955-6555 (fax)
gradschool@mcw.edu

SPUR Contact
spur@mcw.edu

 

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