Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship 2023
Overview
The Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship program offers the opportunity to highly motivated undergraduate students from around the world to engage in research activities in the summer under the mentorship of faculty and researchers at INSAIT. The program is modeled after the top successful summer research programs at MIT, Caltech, and ETH Zurich.
Duration
The program is 8-10 weeks long with the exact duration of the summer project decided between the student and their mentor. In order for students to optimally benefit from the program we do not allow summer projects to be carried out remotely. Students are expected to be present at the institute in Sofia, Bulgaria for a minimum of 8 (max 10) weeks during the summer.
Stipend
Selected students will receive a monthly stipend of 1500 EUR to cover their living & accommodation expenses. The accommodation for the students will be arranged for and the cost will be deducted from their stipend. We also provide travel support for selected candidates.
Who can apply
Undergraduate students enrolled in any accredited university who are in their sophomore, junior, or senior (2,3,4) year are eligible to apply. The students should be enrolled in a STEM major such as computer science or math. To be eligible, applicants should also have a minimum GPA of 3.5 (out of 4.0) or the equivalent in the corresponding grading system. We strongly encourage applications from communities generally underrepresented in STEM.
Program timeline
| Open application window | Dec 14, 2022 – Feb 25, 2023 |
| Reviewing applications | Feb 26 – March 10, 2023 |
| Shortlisted candidates are invited for a brief online interview | March 13, 2023 |
| Interviews with shortlisted candidates | March 13 – 17, 2023 |
| Selected candidates are invited to the program | March 20, 2023 |
| Selected applicants need to confirm their participation in the program no later than | March 20 – 24, 2023 |
| Selected summer students reach out to their mentors to discuss projects and define a project scope/plan | March 27 – April 30, 2023 |
| Approximate dates for the summer research projects (exact dates discussed with mentors). The duration of the project cannot exceed 10 weeks | June 1 – Aug 31, 2023 |
How to apply
Applicants need to submit their application materials before the deadline via our online platform. Your application should include:
- A current CV (in pdf format)
- An unofficial transcript from your university (in pdf format)
- A one-page motivation letter (in pdf format)
Please, state (1) Why you are interested in our summer research program, (2) two research areas at INSAIT that you are interested in, (3) whether you have prior research experience
Program requirements
Throughout the program, summer students have to deliver:
- Project plan discussed with their mentor. The project plan should be ready at the beginning of the summer program.
- Final report which summarizes your work structured as a conference paper. Very often the aim will be for the final report to be submitted to a suitable conference
- Final presentation to be given as part of the INSAIT seminar series
Contact
For questions about the summer research opportunities at INSAIT, please contact [email protected]
FAQ
Q. If I am graduating in the spring of the year I am applying in, am I eligible for the program?
A. Yes.
When exactly can I start working on my research project?
A. The exact start and end date of your summer project are decided between you and your mentor. Once you have been selected and matched to a mentor, you need to contact them to discuss the timeline of your project.
If I do not have a complete application in time, can I still send in my application?
A. Unfortunately, we can not consider late applications.
Is any preference given to local students compared to international ones?
No! Students are evaluated solely on their application materials irrespective of where they come from.
Do you take first-year undergrads into the program?
A. Yes
Can I continue to work on this project beyond the end of the program?
A. This is something that is discussed between you and your mentor.
Can I take a vacation during the research program?
A. Vacation time during the summer can be taken only with the approval of your mentor.