The MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP) seeks to promote the value of graduate education; to improve the research enterprise through increased diversity; and to prepare and recruit the best and brightest for graduate education at MIT.

​

MSRP began in 1986 as an institutional effort to address the issue of underrepresentation of African Americans, Mexican Americans, Native Americans, and Puerto Ricans in engineering and science in the United States. Today, this program’s goal is to increase the number of underrepresented minorities and underserved (e.g. low socio-economic background, first generation) students in the research enterprise.

​

MSRP seeks to identify talented sophomores, juniors, and non-graduating seniors who might benefit from spending a summer on MIT’s campus, conducting research under the guidance of MIT faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and advanced graduate students.

​

Students who participate in this program will be better prepared and motivated to pursue advanced degrees, thereby helping to sustain a rich talent pool in critical areas of research and innovation.

​

Participant Benefits

Supervision by an MIT faculty member and postdoctoral fellow or advanced graduate student

Individual counseling on academic careers

Constructive feedback on the need for further undergraduate courses and acquisition of additional laboratory skills

Opportunity to possibly co-author a scientific paper with the faculty mentor

Exposure to state of the art research laboratories in MIT departments and interdisciplinary centers

A weekly stipend

Round trip travel expenses

University housing and food subsidy (students are responsible for food expenses beyond the subsidy amount)

Access to campus facilities (library, athletic, and health facilities)

​

Program Features

Weekly research presentation by MIT faculty

Weekly seminars on issues directly related to the academic, personal, and professional growth of interns

Community service day

Social outings (barbecues, boat cruise, visits to Boston area)

Preparation of an abstract, research paper, and graduate school statement of purpose

Poster presentation at the end of the program

• Have a minimum 3.5 overall or major GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
• Must be enrolled full-time in a degree-granting program at a US institution of higher education located in the US or its territories excluding MIT
• Be a sophomore, junior, or non-graduating senior; must have 2 academic years of college coursework (not including college credit earned while in high school or its equivalent) and not graduating prior to December 2024
• Have an interest in pursuing a graduate degree in one of MIT’s graduate programs, Sloan professional programs not included (MBA, EMBA, LGO, etc)
• Have a genuine interest in pursuing a career in academic research and/or teaching
• Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, non-U.S. citizen with DACA, or international student with appropriate visa and work authorizations

In an effort to attract applicants from a variety of life experiences, the following students are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Students who may be historically underrepresented in their field of interest and the research enterprise and workforce.
• Students from a non-traditional educational background, including through attendance at schools in underserved, under-resourced, rural, or urban communities, or communities with low admittance rates to top-tier institutions.
• Students who have demonstrated significant academic achievement by overcoming barriers such as economic, social, or educational disadvantage, including factors such as generational wealth, Pell Grant-eligibility, qualification for free/reduced lunch, first-generation to college, or parent(s) level of education.
• Students with the potential to contribute to higher education through understanding the barriers facing women, minorities, students with disabilities, and other members of groups underrepresented in higher education careers, as evidenced by life experiences and educational background.
• Students demonstrating leadership experience advancing belonging, achievement, and composition.
• Students with research interests focusing on underserved populations and understanding issues of inequalities.