Summer Research Opportunities Program for Undergraduates

The Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) was first established in 1986 by the Graduate Deans of the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC). The goal of SROP is to introduce domestic underrepresented sophomores and juniors to academic research experiences. Student participants work one-on-one with a faculty mentor giving them an opportunity to experience research and the graduate student experience. The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) launched its SROP in 1986, with a total of six minority undergraduate students.

As UIC approaches 35 years of hosting this program, SROP has over one thousand student participants. The success of SROP has been truly phenomenal. The retention, graduation, and post-baccalaureate rates of SROP students are substantially higher than those of the general student population. More than two-thirds of the SROP alumni have gone on to graduate and professional schools, which is four times the national average for all baccalaureates in the U.S.

UIC’s numbers are equally impressive. At last count, 97% of those students who participated in its program have continued their studies or have earned a BA/BS degree, 47% are working toward or have completed a graduate degree, and 21.2% are working toward or have completed a professional degree. Our diverse student body, Research Extensive standing and location in the heart of downtown Chicago provide for an exceptional summer research experience.

In the Fall semester, the Graduate College invites undergraduates to apply for participation in SROP. The student may apply to the program already having a research project in mind and a committed faculty mentor or simply by having a research area of interest. In cases where a student has an experienced interest but no mentor, the SROP staff will try to facilitate a match. The SROP Staff and faculty advisory committee are responsible for the selection process, the allocation of funding, and the evaluation of the program.

In addition to working one-on-one with a faculty member, scholars participate in the following programmatic components:

• Campus-based educational enrichment activities designed to broaden the students’ view of graduate education and research;
• Workshops that inform students about graduate admissions procedures, financial aid opportunities, and test-taking skills. Students also participate in training regarding the graduate application process.
• Seminars conducted by faculty and graduate students that expose students to a wide range of fields of study and research instruction.
• Informal social gatherings that provide a relaxed setting for students and faculty to exchange ideas and share experiences;
• The Illinois Summer Research Symposium conference where scholars have the opportunity to introduce their research and meet with other students who are interested in academic careers. Sponsored by the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
• University of Illinois at Chicago sponsored final symposium for the formal presentation of scholars’ research projects.

Please note:  Due to the 30-40 hour per week obligation to research activities, students who participate in SROP should view this program as a “full-time” experience. Holding additional internships, outside employment, or taking courses of any kind during SROP is strictly prohibited.

Students who are eligible to participate in SROP at UIC must meet all of the following criteria:

• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher (4.0 scale)
• Be a citizen or a permanent resident of the U.S.
• Be enrolled as in a degree-granting program at a college or university in the United States, Puerto Rico, or another U.S. territory
• Have Sophomore or Junior classification at the time the application is submitted
• Seniors who are graduating before summer 2025 are only eligible if they have been accepted to, and plan to enroll in a UIC graduate program the Fall term following SROP
• Have at least one semester of undergraduate education remaining after completing the SROP
• Have a strong interest in pursuing a Ph.D. 
• Applicants currently enrolled at UIC must have a faculty mentor identified and confirmed upon submitting their application
• Applicants not attending UIC are encouraged to look for potential faculty mentors (based on research discipline) at the UIC homepage.
• Students interested in professional programs (such as M.D., Law, Dentistry, and MBA) are not eligible
• Students who have already received their bachelor’s degree are not eligible

What are the dates of the program?
The SROP is an eight-week program from May 29, 2025, through July 25, 2025.

How do I apply to the program?
The application deadline is November 22, 2024. There is no application fee.

When can I apply to the program?
SROP Applications for Summer 2025 will be available, using the link below, beginning August 30, 2024.

What are the required materials to apply?

• Completed application.
• 2 Letters of recommendation preferably from a university or college faculty member. (submission details are found within the application)
• Most recent official transcripts from all previous universities or colleges attended. Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted.
• 1 Statement of Purpose/Career Statement detailing the applicant’s plans to conduct research and plans to attend graduate school.  (350 words)
• 1 Research Interest Statement detailing the type of research work the applicant is interested in conducting. (350 words)