SROP gives undergraduate students first-hand exposure to the graduate school experience and faculty life by placing them with faculty whose work is closely related to their academic interests and career goals.
Students work under faculty mentorship either on an individual basis or as part of a research team.
Research teams may also include graduate students, research scientists, and other SROP students. The Summer Research Opportunity Program was initiated in 1986 by the CIC Graduate Deans to encourage talented undergraduate students to pursue graduate study and subsequently academic careers. That first year 99 students participated in the program. Since this program began, close to 6,000 students have participated. Students work under the mentorship of experienced faculty members as part of a research team that may also include graduate students, research scientists, and other SROP students.