Sponsor
Simons Foundation’s Autism & Neuroscience
Program
Shenoy Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Neuroscience (SURFiN)
Description
Program Overview
The goal of the Shenoy Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Neuroscience (SURFiN) program is to spark and sustain interest in neuroscience among undergraduate students who have not had access to research training opportunities. SURFiN provides funds for paid, in-person undergraduate research assistantships during the academic year to students living near Simons Foundation-supported laboratories in the U.S., Canada and Europe. SURFiN fellows will gain hands-on, in-person research experience during the 2026-2027 academic year with direct mentorship. Fellows may earn up to $7,500 USD at a rate of $25/hour for 10 hours a week over 30 weeks. SURFiN mentors are typically early-career scientists such as graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Fellows and mentors participate in career development activities, including a virtual coding boot camp and a scientific symposium in New York City in spring 2027.
This program is for students currently enrolled in a bachelor’s or associate’s degree program who have not had access to research training opportunities. Since SURFiN recruits students who may have little or no previous research experience, the program prepares them for entry into research training. The Simons Foundation’s Autism & Neuroscience division offers the program to nurture new talent and to broaden the community of early-stage trainees interested in the scientific missions of our programs. They aim to drive innovation and collaboration by supporting scientists with a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences.
The SURFiN program is named in honor of neuroscientist Krishna Shenoy.
Informational Webinar
Register for an informational webinar on March 25, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The webinar will be recorded and available on this webpage within two weeks.
Lab Opportunities
Applicants must identify at least one (1) opportunity of interest from the List of 2026-2027 SURFiN Lab Opportunities. Applicants may rank a maximum of three (3) opportunities. Each lab is led by a principal investigator (PI) faculty member at the host institution. Participating labs are supported by the Simons Foundation’s Autism & Neuroscience division, and many labs conduct research related to the missions of the Simons Collaboration on the Global Brain (SCGB), the Simons Collaboration on Plasticity and the Aging Brain (SCPAB), the Simons Collaboration on Ecological Neuroscience (SCENE) and the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI).
Prior laboratory experience is not required of undergraduate applicants. The program encourages mentors to design projects that are accessible to students with a range of skills.
The SURFiN program places fellows in labs within commuting distance of where they typically live. All participating fellows are responsible for coordinating their transportation and any associated costs. Applicants must currently live within commuting distance of a SURFiN lab opportunity. The only lab in Ontario is located in Toronto.
Eligibility
Applicants must be currently enrolled in a bachelor’s or associate’s degree program and remain actively enrolled through at least April 15, 2026. Students who are transferring to a different college or university before/by September 2026 may apply. Applicants may be enrolled in a degree program that is in person, virtual or in a hybrid format and may be a part-time or full-time student. Applicants in a dual-degree program must still be enrolled in at least one (1) undergraduate-level course during the 2026-2027 academic year.
Applicants must be able to commute (<1.5 hours) to a 2026-2027 SURFiN Lab Opportunity for regular in-person lab activity from September 2026 through May 2027.
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older by July 31, 2026.
Prior laboratory experience is not required.
There are no citizenship requirements.
Applicants must meet any additional criteria required by the individual 2026-2027 SURFiN Lab Opportunities selected in their application.
Maximum Project Value
Grants will be for the period of September 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027. All funds are administered by the SURFiN host laboratory’s institution. Host laboratories are responsible for explaining to fellows how funds will be administered. The institutions of the host laboratories will receive $11,500 USD per fellow, to be used as follows:
- $7,500 USD salary support/stipend to cover the total wages earned by the fellow during the academic year at a rate equivalent to $25/hour for 10 hours a week over 30 weeks. The exact hours per week should be determined by the mentor, fellow and principal investigator.
- $2,000 USD resource stipend to be used to support the fellow’s work and professional development during the academic year. Allowable expenses include registration fees or travel costs for the SURFiN fellow to attend conferences related to the research project, fees for training courses, or small equipment such as a laptop computer for coding projects. Any equipment purchased will be the property of the lab and should remain with the lab after the SURFiN fellow’s project concludes. Commuting costs are not allowed.
- $2,000 USD administrative fee to be used towards institutional, administrative, indirect and/or overhead costs associated with administering the award, including but not limited to fringe benefit costs, human resources, payroll services and other related grant and project management services. The administrative fee is intended for the use of the host institution, not the fellow.
Funds may be supplemented from other sources of funding, e.g., the host institution, mentoring principal investigator or another fellowship if permissible under the terms of that fellowship.
Please note that in the event of budgetary or other considerations, The Simons Foundation, Inc. (“the Foundation” or “SF”) reserves the right to refer an application to The Simons Foundation International, Ltd. (“SFI”) for consideration and funding. SFI and SF have entered into an agreement pursuant to which SF provides program operations and grant administration services, including payment processing, to SFI. SFI grant recipients are subject to SF Policies and Procedures.
Indirect Costs
Not applicable to the University of Guelph.
Project Duration
1 year
Special Notes
Fellow Commitment
Undergraduate students accepted into SURFiN are expected to:
- Complete the host institution onboarding requirements, including employment and/or registration of the research assistant appointment, by September 2026. Participation in SURFiN is contingent upon the successful completion of the onboarding process.
- Complete an in-person, paid research assistantship September 2026 through May 2027 with guidance from their assigned SURFiN mentor.
- Participate in SURFiN career development and community-building activities, including virtual monthly meetings and a virtual coding boot camp.
- Travel to and present at the Simons Foundation in New York City in April 2027 during an undergraduate research symposium, with travel and hotel coordinated and financially covered by the Simons Foundation.
Potential for SURFiN Summer and/or Second Year:
After the academic year, PIs, mentors and fellows may request support for the SURFiN fellow to continue in the lab for an additional summer and/or second academic year. Simons Foundation staff will review all requests and communicate final decisions. Support is only possible for fellows who continue to maintain undergraduate enrollment and proximal location to the lab.
Deadlines
If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.
| Type | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
External Deadline | Applications must be submitted via Simons Award Manager (SAM) by 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern Time on April 21, 2026. |
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted via Simons Award Manager (SAM) by 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern Time on April 21, 2026.
Applicants should review the How to Apply tab for an overview of required application materials and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) tab for additional information.
Prior to starting an application, applicants must identify at least one (1) opportunity of interest from the List of 2026-2027 SURFiN Lab Opportunities that is located within commuting distance of where they typically live.
All application materials will be reviewed by Simons Foundation staff and external reviewers. If selected for an interview, PIs and mentors will also review the materials.
Interview and Review Process
Applications are reviewed by Simons Foundation staff and an expert review committee. Reviewers will assess criteria related to access to research opportunities and potential to engage in, benefit from and leverage the SURFiN experience toward their academic and career goals, including, but not limited to, interest, motivation and readiness to pursue neuroscience.
The SURFiN program will identify finalists to interview with potential mentors and PIs June 9 – June 23, 2026. Interviews may be conducted virtually. Applicants not selected for an interview may be placed on a waitlist. SURFiN staff assigns final mentor-fellow pairings based on many factors, including, but not limited to, post-interview feedback from fellows, mentors and PIs.
Successful applicants will be notified of a lab placement in mid-July 2026 and allowed one (1) week to accept or decline. PIs and mentors will be notified of the final pairing in late July. PIs and mentors who are successfully paired with one or more fellow(s) will be invited to submit a budget and materials required for funding via SAM, due July 30, 2026.
All fellowships will begin in September 2026.