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Home » Rackham Life » Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion » Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP)

Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP)

Entering its 38th year, the University of Michigan Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) is designed for outstanding undergraduate students who are underrepresented in their field of study.

Purpose Statement

In support of Rackham Graduate School’s mission, SROP expands access and opportunity to diverse students and facilitates their preparation as a pathway to doctoral studies at U-M, resulting in increased representation.

Vision Statement

SROP at U-M strives to increase the number of diverse students with unique experiences by supporting their preparation for graduate studies. Through intensive mentorship, active learning, and enrichment activities, SROP fosters a community of scholars who increase social and cultural capital and networking while mastering research skills and knowledge that advances their preparation as candidates for successful graduate study at U-M and success in future careers, increasing representation in professional fields.

2023-2024 Application Workshop Dates

  • Session 1 – Tuesday, November 28th, 2023, 8:00 p.m. EDT
  • Session 2 – Thursday, December 14th, 2023, 8:00 p.m. EDT
  • Session 3 – Tuesday, January 9th, 2024, 8:00 p.m. EDT

Register for an Application Workshop

Important Dates

Application Open Date Monday, November 27, 2023
Application Close Date Monday, February 5, 2024
Notifications No later than Friday, March 29, 2024
Program Dates Saturday, May 25, 2024, to Thursday, August 1, 2024

Apply for the Summer Research Opportunity Program

Before applying, review the Eligibility Requirements and the Application Process

Participant Benefits

  • $5,000 stipend
  • Research and graduate application mentorship by faculty and graduate students
  • Networking and professional development opportunities
  • Opportunity to present at the annual SROP Research Symposium
  • Room and board in university housing facilities
  • Access to campus facilities such as libraries and gym
  • Wireless internet and computer lab access
  • Social events and exposure to U-M, the Ann Arbor campus, and U-M resources
  • Community building with a national cohort of rising scholars
  • Application fee waiver to apply to a Rackham Graduate School program

SROP participants are expected to participate full-time during the ten-week program. Participants may not enroll in classes, concurrent summer programs, or hold other employment during the period of the program. Program start and end dates cannot be modified.

Eligibility Requirements

Please read the eligibility requirements carefully, as they may differ from other Big Ten Academic Alliance SROP programs. Students from diverse backgrounds in the social sciences, physical or natural sciences, and engineering are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must:

  • Be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or non-U.S. citizens with DACA.
  • Have a minimum overall 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Be entering their junior or senior year in college (at a school other than the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor) and not be scheduled to graduate before December 2024.
  • Have an interest in pursuing a graduate degree in one of the Rackham graduate programs. Please note that this does not include programs leading to professional degrees, e.g., Medical School (M.D.), Law School (J.D.), and Ross School of Business (M.B.A.).
  • Have a genuine interest in academic research and/or teaching as a career.

Applicants must also meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • Come from an educational, cultural, or geographic background that is underrepresented in graduate study in their discipline in the United States or at the University of Michigan.
  • Have demonstrated a commitment to diversity in the academic, professional, or civic realm through their work experience, volunteer engagement, or leadership of student or community organizations. By diversity, we mean efforts to reduce social, educational, or economic disparities based on race, ethnicity, or gender, or to improve race relations in the United States.
  • Have experienced financial hardship as a result of family economic circumstances.
  • Are first-generation U.S. citizens or will be the first in their families to graduate from a four-year college or university.

Students in the humanities are encouraged to apply to the Michigan Humanities Emerging Research Scholars (MICHHERS) program.

We are not able to accept students currently enrolled at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Currently enrolled UM-Ann Arbor students should contact the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) for more information on summer internships at U-M. Also, visit the Big Ten Academic Alliance website for information on SROP options at other institutions.

Students currently enrolled at UM-Flint and UM-Dearborn are encouraged to apply.

Applying

Please read the SROP Application Process and Guidelines thoroughly before starting the application. For additional details, please email [email protected].

Deadline to Apply

Applications and supporting documentation must be received online by Monday, February 5, 2024, 11:59 p.m., EST. The application portal will not be available after this date.

U-M will notify applicants of acceptance into U-M SROP by email no later than Friday, March 29, 2024. Offers of acceptance will continue until all available spots are filled.

Applicants who do not receive an offer of acceptance by email will be notified of their status in early April 2024.

For Applicants Accepted as Scholars

Official acceptance agreements will be included with the pre-arrival paperwork.

SROP Activity Timeline
Date Activity
March-April

Program participants accepted into the Summer Research Opportunity Program are sent access information for the scholar website and pre-arrival documents to their UMICH email address.

Mid-April

Pre-arrival information deadline.

Program participants must submit pre-arrival documents, including Student Participant Form, Photo, and Photo Release Form.

May

Travel arrangements and pre-program information.

Program participants arrange their own travel and transportation to the UM-Ann Arbor campus. Housing information and other details about campus and Ann Arbor will be provided through the online program portal. Faculty mentors may contact scholars with readings or other preparation, such as online training prior to the start of the program.

May 26, 2024 Travel to Ann Arbor
May 26 to May 31, 2024 Program Orientation
June 3, 2024 First Day of Research
July 26, 2024 Last Day of Research
July 30, 2024 Research Symposium
August 1, 2024 Depart Ann Arbor

Frequently Asked Questions

I’ve attended more than one undergraduate institution. Do I need to upload a transcript from each one?

Yes. You must upload a transcript from each university you have attended. You can scan your transcripts and save them as one document.

What is the minimum GPA required?

All applicants must have a minimum overall 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale). Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications from students who do not meet this criterion.

Are applications from international students accepted?

SROP is only for domestic students who attend U.S. institutions (U.S., permanent residents, or non-U.S. citizens with DACA). Non-U.S. citizens without DACA are ineligible.

I am currently an undergraduate student at U-M, can I apply to be in the program?

We are not able to accept students currently enrolled at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Currently enrolled U-M students should contact the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program for more information on summer internships at U-M. Also, visit the Big Ten Academic Alliance website for more information on other SROP programs. We accept applicants from UM-Flint and UM-Dearborn.

I am a freshman. Can I apply to the program?

The program is for students who will be juniors or seniors after participating in the program.

I am a senior. Can I apply to the program?

You must be returning to complete at least one semester of undergraduate education after completing the SROP experience.

I’ve applied to SROP in the past but didn’t get accepted. Can I apply again?

Yes, students who have applied to SROP in the past may apply again. A previous application to SROP will not influence your current SROP application.

Are SROP participants allowed to take courses during the summer?

No, SROP is an intensive research experience and we expect your full-time commitment to the program.

The program starts before the end of the semester. If selected, can I still participate?

Modifications to program start and end dates cannot be made. Email requests outlining extenuating circumstances can be made to [email protected] for consideration.

Is health insurance required?

No, it is not required for participants to have their own health insurance.

Should I apply using the Big Ten Academic Alliance shared application or the U-M application?

The University of Michigan has a campus-specific application and does not participate in the shared application process.

Will you consider applications past the deadline?

All application materials must be submitted by the deadline.

When can I expect to hear about the status of my application?

Offers of acceptance into U-M SROP will be sent by email by March and April of the program year. Offers of acceptance will continue until all available spots are filled. Applicants who do not receive an offer of acceptance by email will be notified of their status in April of the program year.

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Contact SROP

1530 Rackham Building
915 E. Washington St., Ste. 1530
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1070
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (734) 647-4013
Fax: (734) 936-2848