Bridge Undergraduate Science Program (BUGS)
The Application Portal for the 2026 Bridge UnderGraduate Science (BUGS) Summer Research Program is now CLOSED
All applicants will receive an email notification regarding their admission status. Due to the high volume of applications, our review process is taking longer than anticipated. Notifications are expected to be sent soon and will be released on a rolling basis.
Thank you for your patience and continued interest in the program.
HOW TO APPLY
STEP 1: Find a faculty mentor
STEP 2: Establish a research project and draft a proposal. 2026 BUGS Research Proposal Template (PDF)
STEP 3: Apply for USC fellowships
STEP 4: Submit BUGS application
2026 BUGS Program application portal is NOW OPEN
*BUGS are encouraged to participate concurrently in any of these undergraduate fellowships: SURF or Provost’s. All applications to the BUGS program will be considered for funding through the Trudi Berwin Student Support Award, the Dang Family Endowed Undergraduate Research Fellowship, and other fellowship sources that are managed through the Bridge Institute.
For more details about the BUGS Program, please read our FAQ page.
Before opening or completing the 2026 BUGS Program application through Qualtrics, please preview the questions to prepare your materials/answers.
Previous news articles about our students and their achievements
Bridge Undergraduate Researchers Kylie Burdsall Commits to Stanford Medicine and Sanraj Mittal Heads to Rockefeller University
USC Bridge News
by Kathlynn Alba, April 30, 2020
While the COVID-19 pandemic has put many important on-campus events on hold for many of our undergraduates, namely the 2020 USC commencement, there is still much to celebrate.
Pharmacy lab’s former intern exploring interests as USC undergrad
HSC NEWS
by Eric Lindberg, June 13th, 2019
You could certainly call Bethany Chen a chemist. Or a robot programmer. She’s definitely a computer scientist. Don’t forget about hip-hop dancer, philosopher and black belt expert in hapkido.
A longtime science enthusiast, the rising sophomore at USC has interests that range across the map. And like many undergrads, she’s taking advantage of opportunities at USC to consider options for her future and gain experience in diverse fields.
HANDS-ON RESEARCH
Our interdisciplinary research effort intensifies every summer with the Bridge Undergraduate Science Program, known as BUGS for short. Undergraduate students in the program pair with a USC faculty member and often collaborate with graduate student, postdoctoral fellows or staff to perform hands-on research in USC research labs. Students also benefit from Bridge-sponsored peer community-building activities research seminars and multi-disciplinary social mixers.
Curious to learn the kind of research our previous BUGS have done? Get to know the Class of 2018, Class of 2019, Class of 2021 and Class of 2023 or check out previous news articles about our students and their achievements.
EXPLORE DISCIPLINES
BUGS is one of a few immersive U.S. programs that allows students to explore across scientific disciplines and additionally incorporates opportunities to collaborate with students in the USC School of Cinematic Arts. A unique highlight of the program is the summer finale symposium (the first Friday and Saturday in August) where BUGS provide short oral presentations of their work to their scientific mentors, peers and family, as well as the university community. Check out our 2022 BUGS Activities Schedule and 2022 BUGS Finale Symposium Schedule for a taste of the programmatic activities and planning.
Interested in working together or have an idea to share?
Bridge Undergraduate Science Program
(BUGS and BUGS Jr. Programs)