The Summer Undergraduate Research Award provides students with the opportunity to engage in full-time research during the summer months. This program allows students to immerse themselves in a research topic for a ten-week period, with awardees earning up to $6,200.

Summer 2025 Application

Eligibility

• The program is open to all Rensselaer undergraduates interested in conducting research on campus with a faculty advisor.
• Students must not be on academic probation and should plan to enroll at Rensselaer for the following term.
• Graduating seniors, students enrolled full-time in the Arch summer semester, and incoming first-year students are not eligible.
• Students from all fields of study are encouraged to apply.

Award Funding 

• Awardees are selected through a competitive review process based on proposals submitted by students.
• Awardees can earn up to $6,200 over ten weeks of full-time research (40 hours per week, $15.50/hour).
• Recipients are responsible for their housing expenses.
• The Office of Undergraduate Education provides 75% of the award amount with the faculty advisor contributing 25% of the funding.

Review Process

• Proposals will be reviewed and rated by the Interim Vice Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Education and/or their designee(s).
• For the above reason, proposals should be written in a manner that can be understood by an educated reader outside the student's field of study.
• All students and their advisors will be notified of the evaluation results via email.

Application Process

1. Identify an Advisor and Project:
   1. Students should find a faculty advisor and develop a research project.
2. Write a Proposal:
   1. Prepare a proposal, limited to no more than three pages, following the Guidelines to Writing a Successful Proposal (available in Documents & Resources, see below).
   2. It is recommended that students meet with their faculty researcher at least once before submitting the proposal to review a draft.
3. Complete the Online Application:
   1. Fill out the online Full-Time Application available on the Summer Undergraduate Research Summer Award page.
   2. Include a brief abstract, final proposal, and a signed letter of recommendation from the faculty member willing to advise the project.
   3. NOTE: Advisors must commit to the items listed on the application form in the letter of recommendation.