The ADVANCE Undergraduate Institute (AUI) is a three-day intensive institute sponsored by Stanford Biosciences taking place March 25th-28th, 2026. AUI is designed to introduce aspiring scientists to the Stanford University campus and provide guidance on the graduate school admissions process. AUI scholars will take part in PhD prep workshops, Q&A panels with Stanford Bioscience PhD students and Faculty, and take part in mock-interviews with Stanford Faculty. After completing the three-day institute, students have access to the AUI network and can engage with previous participants who are currently enrolled in a PhD in the Biosciences.

*AUI is an all-inclusive program and we encourage all potential future PhD applicants to apply*

*AUI participants receive overnight accommodations, meals, and travel to and from Stanford* 

*Currently AUI is limited only to students from US-based institutions.* 

Application Opens:  Wednesday, November 19th, 2025.

Application Deadline: Application closes on Friday, January 23rd, 2026.

AUI Program Dates: Wednesday March 25th – Saturday March 28th, 2026

Eligibility:

• Continuing student at a 4-year university
• Completed at least 2 semesters or 3 quarters.
• Graduating seniors taking a gap year or at a post-bacc program are welcome to apply.
• Demonstrated interest in pursuing a PhD in the Biosciences (i.e. some prior scientific research experience or intent to participate in research in the upcoming academic year).

Note: AUI is not designed to provide programming related to the Medical School admissions, it is only for the Biosciences PhD programs.

Application Requirements:

• Completed application, which includes a Personal Statement, CV, background information, and letters of recommendation, all must be submitted by the January 23rd, 2026 deadline.
• Unofficial transcript
• One (1) letter of recommendation
  • Recommendation letter(s) from someone familiar with your previous research and/or graduate level research potential (PIs, research program directors, etc.) are strongly encouraged.
  • Recommendation letter(s) should touch upon your capacity and motivation to conduct research at the graduate level.
  • Check out these Ten Simple Rules for Navigating the Reference Letter Seeking Process

Timeline: 

• Application closes on January 23, 2026 at 11:59pm PST
• Selected participants notified by the last week of February; selected participants will have 48 hours to accept or decline their offer.
• Stanford staff will be in contact in early March to arrange travel.
• ADVANCE Undergraduate Institute (AUI) program dates are March 25th – March 28th, 2026.

CLICK HERE to APPLY  to AUI 2026

Questions? Email the Director, Marco Monroy, PhD at mmonroy@stanford.edu  and include “AUI” in the subject line.