What is it?
Summer research programs provides undergraduate students an intensive opportunity to work on a faculty-led research project with their support and guidance. Students participate in, and contribute to, original faculty-led research projects, develop advanced research skills and build relationships with peers and faculty.
Important Considerations
Eligibility
Eligibility criteria varies for each summer research program and students may be required to submit an application.
Duration
The duration for these opportunities varies. Summer research programs typically occur during the spring and summer months.
Recognition and / or Compensation
Recognition and compensation for these summer research program varies. Students might receive a stipend (a fixed amount of money) or paid Research Assistantship to support their involvement with the summer research program.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access
Inclusion in research experiences is achieved when an experience supports learning for all students. Learn about the University of Toronto’s commitment to an equitable learning environment and accessible learning environment as well as available resources and supports.
Tags: Co-curricular, Faculty-led Research, Paid
Benefits
- Allows students to apply their research knowledge and skills to a project, enhancing their understanding of the research process and approaches.
- Summer research programs create an immersive learning experience where students fully engage with research activities.
- Summer research programs offer students an opportunity to expand their network and build relationships with faculty, staff and librarians. In some instances, students will join a research team connecting them with a group of faculty, staff, librarians, graduate students and other undergraduate students.
- Summer research programs help students in their decision to pursue graduate studies as they become more familiarized with a research environment. This experience is one of many opportunities to strengthen student applications to graduate programs.
Ideal time to participate:
- This depends on students’ academic program and personal and professional goals. Students may wish to discuss their participation in a summer research program with their academic unit or registrar’s office.
- As these programs occur during the spring and summer months, students will need to consider their capacity to participate with other responsibilities.
How to access / locate opportunities:
- To learn more about summer research programs, students should visit the websites of their academic unit, division and, if applicable, their college.
- To learn more about summer research programs, refer to the Undergraduate Research Explorer.
- In some instances, summer research programs like the Jackman Scholars-in-Residence offer an opportunity to advance a faculty member’s research agenda.
- If a faculty member is interested in developing or participating in a summer research program, they should consider connecting with their academic unit, divisional teaching and learning / experiential learning offices or relevant institutional offices to explore the resources, structures and programs available.
- Faculty, staff and librarians should consider ways to embed equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenous perspectives throughout students’ research experiences.
