Funded Research Opportunities for Undergraduate Students

As of Spring 23

This is just a sample of research opportunities from sources outside of the University of Houston. You should be looking for other opportunities as well.

If you are considering applying for any of these or similar opportunities visit their websites for more accurate information and contact Dr. Piruz Saboury at psaboury2@uh.edu as early as possible to get help and prepare the best possible application.

Social Sciences

American Economic Association (AEA) Summer and Scholarship Programs

This program prepares talented undergraduate students for doctoral programs in economics and related disciplines through 2 months of intensive training in microeconomics, math, econometrics and research methods with leading faculty.

ICPSR Summer Program in Quantitative Methods at the University of Michigan

This program provides rigorous and comprehensible training in statistics, quantitative and qualitative methods, and data analysis. ICPSR is a unit within the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan.

American Bar Foundation (ABF) Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program

This fellowship introduces undergraduate students to the rewards and demands of a research-oriented career in law and/or social science. Each student will be assigned to an ABF Research Professor who will involve them in their research project and act as their mentor during their time in the program.

American Political Science Association (APSA) Ralph Bunche Summer Institute Program

RBSI is an intensive 5-week program held at Duke University that enhances writing, research, and analytical skills, develops statistical skills for data analysis in political science, and more. RBSI is designed to introduce to the world of doctoral study in political science to undergraduate students from traditionally underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, or those interested in broadening participation in political science and pursuing scholarship on issues affecting underrepresented groups or issues of tribal sovereignty and governance.

Hertog Foundation Political Studies Program

This program brings together top college students in the nation’s capital to explore the theory and practice of politics in an intensive seminar setting with outstanding faculty. Political Studies Fellows take courses in a wide variety of subjects, from political philosophy to contemporary public affairs, from economics to foreign policy. They also have the opportunity to hear from leaders in American government and politics.

Public Service and International Affairs

Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program

This is a 6-week summer program where students attend classes at Howard University focusing on enhancing knowledge and skills related to U.S. foreign policy, economics, and writing, and participate in a variety of programs with foreign affairs professionals at Howard and diverse locations around Washington, DC. The program is designed to provide undergraduate students with a deeper appreciation of current issues and trends in international affairs, a greater understanding of career opportunities in international affairs, and the enhanced knowledge and skills to pursue such careers.

Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute

This fellowship program is a rigorous academic graduate-level preparation program for undergraduate juniors committed to public service careers. With a curriculum including economics, statistics, domestic/international policy issues, and leadership topics, designed to sharpen the students’ quantitative, analytic, and communication skills, JSI prepares students to obtain a Master’s or a joint degree in public policy, public administration, international affairs, or a related field.

Hansen Leadership Institute 

Multidisciplinary Programs

NSF funds a large number of research opportunities for undergraduate students through its REU Sites program. An REU Site consists of a group of ten or so undergraduates who work in the research programs of the host institution. Each student is associated with a specific research project, where they work closely with the faculty and other researchers.

Use the web page Search for an REU Site to find opportunities in various subject areas and locations. Contact information is listed for each site that you can use for additional information and application.

The Leadership Alliance Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP)

This program is a fully paid 8 to 10-week summer internship that provides undergraduates with training and mentoring in the principles underlying the conduct of research and prepares them to pursue competitive applications to PhD programs in multiple disciplines including social and behavioral sciences. SR-EIP participants present their research at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium (LANS).

Research Intensive Summer Experience (RISE) at Rutgers University

RISE is 10-week in-person summer research program where students participate in cutting-edge research in the various disciplines including social/behavioral sciences under the guidance of carefully matched faculty mentors. RISE also provides professional development including GRE preparation as well as wellness workshops, social and recreational activities, and community engagement opportunities.

Summer Research Initiative (SRI) at University of Maryland

SRI is an 8-week intensive and engaging research experience that is designed to encourage and enhance the diversity of scholars working in the social and behavioral science fields. Rising juniors and seniors (especially those who plan to pursue doctoral degrees in the behavioral and social sciences) will develop research skills, learn about doctoral training, and increase graduate training readiness. Multiple departments including Economics are involved in the SRI.

Mentoring Summer Research Internship Program (MSRIP) at UC Riverside

MSRIP is an 8-week summer research program designed for rising juniors, seniors (and some rising masters students) from educationally and/or economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Participants work under the supervision of a faculty mentor on the mentor’s research project. MSRIP is intended to encourage outstanding students from diverse backgrounds to pursue their PhD by strengthening their academic and professional development.

Moore Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (MURAP) at UNC – Chapel Hill

MURAP is a summer fellowship that brings a cohort of 20 undergraduates (rising juniors and seniors) together for an intensive 10-week research and graduate school professional development experience where students work with faculty mentors who guide participants in an original research project. Students also attend writing workshops, receive training in research communication skills, take GRE classes, and participate in other professional development activities to prepare them for success in graduate school and academic careers. This program is designed to foster the entrance of talented students from diverse backgrounds within the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts into PhD programs and faculty positions in U.S. colleges and universities.

Other Summer Research Opportunities

For finding similar programs of mentored summer research, search using the keywords "SROP" or "Summer Research Opportunity," and check if there is a "Social Science" option.