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

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.

Apply Now to SPUR '25

All application documentation (online form, letters of recommendation and transcript) must be submitted and/or postmarked by the application deadline. The application for SPUR '25 will open October 1, 2024 and the deadline is February 1, 2025. 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. Please send one of the links below to one recommender, and the other to your second recommender.

• Recommendation Link 1
• Recommendation Link 2

It does not matter which link you choose to send to either of your recommenders. However, under no circumstances should you send the same link to both recommenders.

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 ’25 is scheduled to begin Wednesday, May 28, 2025 and conclude Friday, August 1, 2025. Participants must be able to provide a full-time effort (40 hours/week) and be present for the full duration of the program.

Applicants selected to participate in SPUR receive a stipend and are provided housing on an as-needed basis. The stipend for 2024 was $4,500.00, and was 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.

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 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.