About the Program
The Summer Undergraduate Research Training (SMART) Program provides frontier-level, biomedical summer research projects for undergraduates in a supportive environment with supplemental educational activities.
The official dates for the SMART Program 2026 are June 1 through July 31. The move-in date will be May 31 and move-out date will be Aug. 1.
The program offers:
- Nine paid weeks of biomedically related research in a broad range of areas
- Research and professional development seminars designed for undergraduates
- Career development activities
- Designated housing near Baylor College of Medicine
The SMART program application for Summer 2026 is now closed. The application for 2027 will open in October.
A Unique Experience Awaits!
Your position is a real job, with a compensation package of approximately $5,400 for nine weeks. Depending on the funding source, your compensation will be all salary or a combination of salary and allocation for housing or travel. In addition to everything you learn about science through research, daily seminars, discussion groups, and extra activities; the experience of getting to know the other participants and people here at Baylor College of Medicine is extraordinary.
We welcome students from all science and math majors, and even non-science majors with appropriate background and interest. Projects span the spectrum of biomedical science, including projects in bioengineering and computational biology.
Our program has gained nationwide recognition from students, their advisers, and granting agencies as one of the most successful ever created due to our incomparable resources in the Texas Medical Center and people who truly believe in opening doors of opportunity to college students.
SMART Speaks
“I am extremely grateful to have had such as empowering mentor such as Dr. Chao during my time in the SMART Program. She allowed me freedom in my research based on my interests and adequately introduced into the world of scientific research. I greatly benefited from her encouragement and mentorship as a current junior scientist.” – Mary Clare, SMART 2023 Student
“I loved working the Samuel Lab! These past two summers at Baylor were brilliant experiences.” – Amen, SMART 2023 and 2024 Student
“During my two summers in the SMART program, I became a finalist and won an award in the elevator pitch competition while working in Dr. Boriek’s lab, where I learned to write abstracts and present complex data. I also enjoyed the research discussion groups, which allowed me to connect with a current grad student and build friendships with fellow SMART participants as we developed new skills together.” – Timi, SMART 2023 and 2024 Student
BCM Recruiting Events
Want to learn more about the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine? Visit us at a recruiting event. Meet with Graduate School faculty, staff and admissions reps!
SMART Team
2024 SMART student elevator pitch competition winners.