McNair Scholars pose for a photo during the OGEEP Scholar's Symposium at the Penn Stater

Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP)

The Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) is a gateway to graduate education at Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) universities. The goal of the program is to increase the number of underrepresented students who are pursuing graduate study and research careers. SROP helps prepare undergraduates for graduate study through intensive research experiences with faculty mentors and enrichment activities. Now in its thirty-seventh year, SROP celebrates the achievements of its alumni. To date, 610 program alumni have earned a Ph.D. degree and are now preparing the next generation of SROP scholars as mentors and teachers. Thousands of others have completed graduate training and are pursuing successful careers in government, business, and non-profit agencies.

Program Eligibility

Students wishing to participate in SROP must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (4.0 scale)

  • Be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident

  • Be enrolled in a degree-granting program at a college or university in the United States, Puerto Rico, or other U.S. territory

  • Have completed at least two semesters of undergraduate education by the time of the summer experience

  • Have at least one semester of undergraduate education remaining after completing the summer research experience

  • Have a strong interest in pursuing a Ph.D.

SROP is not designed for preparing students to pursue professional degrees such as law, medical, and MBA degrees. Students who have completed an undergraduate degree are not eligible to participate.

How to Apply

Each year, SROP applications are accepted between November 1 and February 10. The BTAA-SROP application allows for applying to up to ten widely recognized summer research programs at participating BTAA universities institutions using a single application. One of the benefits of using the BTAA-SROP application is that you only need to upload one transcript to a central location and faculty recommenders will only be required to submit one online letter of recommendation (Please note: two letters required in total). Upon completion, your application will be viewable by faculty from BTAA partner universities.

    Apply to SROP

    Penn State SROP

    Each year, the Office of Graduate Educational Equity Programs (OGEEP) works in partnership with the BTAA. Students are from colleges and universities across the country and from the University of Puerto Rico system.

    Penn State SROP is an intensive eight-week research program held at the University Park campus. It is designed to interest talented undergraduate students from underrepresented groups in academic careers and to enhance their preparation for graduate study through intensive research experiences with faculty mentors.

    In addition to research, participants are required to craft/submit a scholarly research paper in the appropriate academic discipline, conduct an oral presentation of research findings, attend/participate in orientation, research writing seminars, professional development workshops, seminars, field trips, and social activities. SROP participants receive a stipend provided that program requirements are met. Housing, meals, and travel to and from University Park are covered by OGEEP.

    2024 SROP Dates

    Monday, June 3–Friday, July 26

    SROP is a Full-Time Experience

    Participants will be actively engaged in SROP programming throughout the eight-week experience. They cannot take summer courses, hold a summer job, participate in other summer programs, or be involved in any activity that prevents completing program requirements. Participants are also expected to conduct themselves and their research ethically and are responsible for the overall success of their experience.