About HEART:

The Harvard/MIT Early Access to Research Training (HEART) MD-PhD Summer Program was founded in 2022 by Harvard/MIT MD-PhD students to expand access to physician-scientist training in preparation for MD-PhD applications and careers. HEART is a fully funded summer experience and a track of the Summer Honors Undergraduate Research Program. The program welcomes applications from all undergraduates with a strong interest in the physician-scientist path.

Program Highlights

Over the course of ten weeks, HEART Scholars will:

• Live with other HEART/SHURP Scholars in the Longwood Medical Area of Boston, MA
• Work on a research project under the mentorship of a Harvard faculty member
• Learn how to prepare oral, written, and poster presentations of their research
• Present a poster at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium
• Present an oral presentation at the Annual SHURP Symposium
• Gain longitudinal mentorship with HEART Program leadership and a current MD-PhD student mentor
• Participate in weekly seminars and workshops
• Shadow clinicians at Harvard teaching hospitals
• Gain hands-on experience in clinical simulations and skills workshops

Financial Support:

HEART Scholars receive a competitive stipend (typically $5,000), housing near the Harvard Medical School campus, and reimbursement for travel expenses to/from Boston.

Important Dates:

Applications for the HEART Summer Program are now open and must be submitted before February 3, 2026. The 2026 program will be 10 weeks and run from Sunday, May 31 to Saturday, August 8.