The Undergraduate Research Office offers competitive, merit-based funding to undergraduate students pursuing faculty-mentored research or creative work during the summer.
When applying, students need to already have an identified faculty mentor and project idea. Project ideas do NOT need to be independent; many students work on faculty-led projects, especially in STEM and social science fields. Independent projects are also welcome, with the support of a faculty mentor.
2026 Program Details
Application deadline: February 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Program dates: May 26 - July 31, 2026
NOTE: PSURG funding recipients must be available for the entire 10-week period; STEM and AHSS funding recipients are allowed reasonable flexibility within the same timeframe.
There are three types of programs, and student eligibility is based on discipline/area of the research project, rather than the student's major.
For students conducting research in the biological, chemistry and social sciences (especially psychological sciences and anthropology).
- Award amount: $4,500
Funds may be used toward travel, supplies, housing, meals, and other needs. Recipients of Sponsored Summer Research Program (SSRP) awards must arrange for their own summer housing and meals. - Dates: May 26 - July 31, 2026
- Location: Case Western Reserve University or with a CWRU-affiliate.
Please note: PSURG is a full-time, 10-week, on-campus program and requires students to commit to the entire duration of the program.
For students conducting research related to Science, Engineering, Technology or Mathematics (STEM).
- Award details:
- Up to $4,000 for full-time proposals (10 weeks, 37.5 hrs/wk)
- Part-time proposals will be accepted
- Funds may be used toward travel, supplies, housing, meals, and other needs. Recipients of Sponsored Summer Research Program (SSRP) awards must arrange for their own summer housing and meals.
- Dates: May 26 - July 31, 2026
With the project mentor's approval, students may propose projects within that time frame that are less than 10 weeks in length or less than 37.5 hrs per week. - Location: Case Western Reserve University or with a CWRU-affiliate; remote/virtual proposals will be considered.
For students pursuing research or creative work in the Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences.
- Award details:
- Up to $4,000 for full-time proposals (10 weeks, 37.5 hrs/wk)
- Part-time proposals will be accepted
- Funds may be used toward travel, supplies, housing, meals, and other needs. Recipients of Sponsored Summer Research Program (SSRP) awards must arrange for their own summer housing and meals.
- Dates: May 26 - July 31, 2026
With the project mentor's approval, students may propose projects within that time frame that are less than 10 weeks in length or less than 37.5 hrs per week. - Location: Case Western Reserve University or with a CWRU-affiliate; remote/virtual proposals will be considered.
2026 Application Details
Deadline: February 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Notification: On or by April 13, 2026
Students should only apply to ONE sponsored summer research program; if eligible, they will automatically be considered for the other SSRP awards.
A complete submission consists of: 1. Application form; 2. Project proposal; 3. Resume; 4. Faculty mentor recommendation.
For all programs, students must:
- Be a full-time CWRU student enrolled in classes for Fall 2026.
- Have already identified a faculty mentor and project.
- Applicants are NOT required to have an independent project idea; many students work on faculty-led projects, especially in STEM and social science fields.
- Eligible faculty mentors include our affiliates at the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, the VA Hospital, University Circle museums and other affiliated institutions. The Undergraduate Research office is available for assistance in identifying a faculty mentor and project.
In addition, while students may apply for funding for different programs or projects, students may not accept funding for 2 different projects. If students are accepted into more than one program, they must choose which program they want to participate in. Faculty mentors may (and are encouraged to) supplement SSRP funding with supplies and/or stipend support.
Upon accepting the award, students are expected to:
- Complete the proposed project, and obtain any required training to participate in the project/lab as defined by the project mentor (e.g., IRB, lab safety, etc.).
- Attend at least 8 Educational Training Sessions during the summer (this number will be adjusted for part-time STEM or AHSS participants, based on the dates of their projects).
- Present at an upcoming Intersections Poster Symposium in Summer 2026, Fall 2026, or Spring 2027.
- Submit a final paper by August 31, 2026 about the project.
- Adhere to the Undergraduate Research Office Summer Course Policy:
- Recipients of a full-time SSRP award cannot enroll in more than one summer class (up to 4 credit hours).
- Students may not enroll in any of the following physics courses while participating in a full-time summer research experience:
PHYS 115, 116, 121, 122, 123 or 124 - Students who wish to take a physics course or enroll in more than one summer course must apply as a part-time STEM or AHSS applicant.
- PSURG is only a full-time experience.