Summer Undergraduate Mentored Research Program (SUMR) is a full-time, paid internship run by the Wharton School’s Health Care Management Department and Penn LDI at the University of Pennsylvania. For more than two decades, SUMR has introduced talented undergraduates to the field of health services research, offering a 12-week immersive experience that prepares students for graduate study and careers in health economics, health care management, health policy, population health, and clinical epidemiology.
What makes SUMR truly impactful is the dedication of Penn faculty who guide students through mentored research projects. As we look ahead to the program’s 27th year, we warmly invite you to consider serving as a mentor for Summer 2026. Your involvement not only provides students with invaluable training and exposure to the academic health services research community, but also inspires the next generation of scholars who will shape the future of health care.
SUMR scholars are selected by a committee of Penn faculty from a highly competitive applicant pool. Once on campus, they work closely with mentors on research projects, attend the AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting, present their findings at the End of SUMR Research Symposium, participate in community building activities, and strengthen their communication through a writing seminar that develops critical writing skills. With your mentorship, we can continue to offer these students the opportunities, guidance, and encouragement that help them envision and achieve their goals.
TO SERVE AS A SUMR MENTOR:
• Send in this form by March 1, 2026 at the latest. Please submit ASAP!
• Mentor a SUMR scholar during 12-week program, May 26-August 14, 2026.
• The cost for a part-time SUMR scholar is $6,950 (20 hours/week), or $13,900 for a full-time SUMR scholar (40 hours/week). If you do not have funding but have a project, Joanne will work with you to find funding.