Sarafan ChEM-H Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Program (UEP)

MUST APPLY THROUGH THE LINK BELOW!

Interested in biotechnology, targeted therapeutics, and entrepreneurship?

The Sarafan ChEM-H Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Program (UEP) gives Stanford undergraduates the opportunity to explore how chemistry and biology can be translated into new therapeutic ideas for unmet clinical needs. Students work in teams, receive mentorship from Stanford faculty and biotech leaders, and develop a venture concept from early idea through final pitch.

UEP is focused on therapeutics and is a strong fit for students interested in drug discovery, translational science, biotech startups, and collaborative problem-solving. Over the course of the program, participants build and refine a therapeutics-focused idea, learn how to think through both scientific and translational challenges, and the art of the pitch while preparing to present their final concept at UEP Pitch Night. The winning team receives funds (up to $50K) to work in in the lab with Dr. Mark Smith, Director of the Medicinal Chemistry within the Sarafan ChEM-H Institute Nucleus and Co-Director of the Small Molecule Portfolio in Stanford's Innovative Medicines Accelerator (IMA). 

Past winning teams have pursued therapeutics-focused ideas addressing serious unmet medical needs, including facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, uveal melanoma, ovarian cancer, HPV, fungal infection, and drug-resistant bacterial infection. These projects reflect the range of bold, team-based ideas students can pursue through UEP.

Application details:

• Application link 

• Open to Stanford undergraduates with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA

• Students may apply individually or as part of a team, though each teammate must submit a separate application

• Application deadline: April 30, 2026 

Application materials:

• Resume

• Unofficial transcript

• Short-answer responses

The short-answer questions ask applicants to reflect on:

• Their prior research experience, why they want to be part of UEP, and what they hope to gain from participating

• An unmet medical need or disease area that interests them and why

• The skills they would bring to a team project

• Their longer-term career goals

Program timeline:

• Application deadline: April 30, 2026

• Selected applicants will be invited to interview

• Program launches in May 2026

• Weekly Monday night meetings begin in Fall 2026

• Pitch Night: End of Fall 2026

• Winning teams begin in Summer 2027, or sooner

Please see the attached flyer for additional details 

Please direct your questions to: 
Lynette Haberman, MA
Program Manager, Student Programs and Training
habermnl@stanford.edu