Leadership Alliance & UChicago Summer Research–Early Identification Program (SR-EIP)

The Summer Research – Early Identification Program (SR-EIP) at the University of Chicago, in partnership with the Leadership Alliance, offers undergraduates an opportunity to work on cutting-edge research projects in a wide range of disciplines. The program is designed to prepare participants for competitive applications to graduate programs by providing rigorous research experience, professional development workshops, and mentoring by faculty and graduate students.

The Leadership Alliance Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP) at the University of Chicago offers research opportunities in the biological sciences, the physical sciences, the social sciences, engineering, mathematics, and humanities. Students participating in the program at the University of Chicago will interact with faculty, research associates, and students that work in a highly collaborative environment.

Upon acceptance into the program, students will be matched with a faculty/research mentor based largely on research interests and goals. Over the nine-week summer program at the University of Chicago, students will work closely with their mentors and colleagues to develop an independent research project. Students will participate in all phases of the research investigation, including project design and development, data collection, analysis and interpretation, and communication of results. Alongside their research experience, students will also participate in workshops, seminars, and journal clubs where they will interact with fellow SR-EIP participants, graduate students, faculty members and research associates and engage in discussions related to several facets of academic research and graduate training. As they progress through the program, students will write a research proposal (STEM) or a final paper (Humanities). They will also give an oral presentation at both the Leadership Alliance National Symposium (LANS) and the University of Chicago Summer Research Symposium. The SR-EIP motivates students to pursue graduate-level training by fostering an appreciation for the research process and the collaborative interactions that are key to progress in the academy.