Unveiling Undergraduate Research Opportunities at Princeton University
Princeton University offers a wealth of research opportunities for undergraduate students, allowing them to explore their academic interests, connect with faculty, and gain valuable experience. From freshman seminars to summer research programs, Princeton provides a supportive and stimulating environment for undergraduates to engage in cutting-edge research.
Getting Started with Research
The first year at Princeton is crucial for shaping research interests and connecting with faculty and peers. Several avenues are available for students to begin their research journey:
- Research-Based Courses: Taking a research-based freshman seminar, writing seminar, Program for Community-Engaged Scholarship (ProCES), or Campus as Lab course offers the excitement of working closely with a professor and a small group of fellow students on a topic of special interest.
- Princeton Undergraduate Research Calendar (PURC): Consulting PURC provides information on upcoming seminars, workshops, funding opportunities, important deadlines, and more.
- Princeton Correspondents on Undergraduate Research Blog: Subscribing to the blog allows students to stay informed about all things related to the undergraduate research experience at Princeton. The blog features student-authored posts.
- Departmental Independent Work Guides: Perusing these guides helps students as they start to consider possible concentrations.
- Activities Fair: Participating in the Activities Fair in September allows students to explore more than 300 student groups (many of which are research-focused) and University programs. They can discuss their services and mission.
- Advising Appointments: Scheduling an appointment with Dr. Pascale Poussart, director of undergraduate research, or Dr. Caitlin Larracey, assistant director, allows students to discuss their research options during the academic year and the following summer.
- Student Employment Office: Reviewing the research opportunities announced through the Student Employment Office can lead to valuable research positions.
- ReMatch Events: Participating in ReMatch events connects first and second-year undergraduate students with graduate student mentors based on their shared interest in academic research.
- Princeton Research Day: Attending Princeton Research Day in May provides an opportunity to learn about and celebrate the research and creative work being done on campus.
Summer Research Programs
The Office of Undergraduate Research runs two concurrent summer research programs for Princeton undergraduates: ReMatch+ and the Office of Undergraduate Research Student Initiated Internship Program (OURSIP). Additional established summer programs provide Princeton students, as well as students from other colleges and universities, with the opportunity to obtain hands-on research experience in specific fields.
ReMatch+
ReMatch+ is the culmination of the yearlong ReMatch program. It offers freshmen and sophomores an opportunity to carry out paid graduate-mentored research projects over the summer.
Office of Undergraduate Research Student Initiated Internship Program (OURSIP)
The Office of Undergraduate Research Student Initiated Internship Program (OURSIP) provides a limited number of grants to freshmen and sophomores (and occasionally juniors) who have independently created or secured an unpaid faculty-mentored research internship over the summer.
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ReMatch+ and on-campus OURSIP participants join a diverse and inclusive community of researchers from across disciplines. Participants come together weekly through the Summer Research Colloquium workshops and social events.
Princeton Neuroscience Institute (PNI) Summer Programs
Each summer, PNI hosts a vibrant community of undergraduate researchers exploring the brain from molecules to behavior. Students gain hands-on research experience, mentorship from faculty and trainees, and opportunities for professional development through shared programming across all summer research tracks. PNI has two routes for summer research internships:
- PNI Summer Internship Program (SIP): For non-Princeton undergraduates interested in pursuing graduate studies in neuroscience or related fields. It is funded in part by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Applications are submitted through the Leadership Alliance SR-EIP or NSF’s ETAP portal.
- Princeton Undergraduate Research Internships: For current Princeton students pursuing independent or mentored research in PNI laboratories. Applications are submitted through Princeton’s SAFE portal. Participants are able to participate with the majority of SIP programming, courses, workshops, and other events.
Through both routes, PNI provides education and immersive research opportunities that help students experience what it’s like to be a neuroscientist.
All PNI summer researchers - SIP interns and Princeton undergraduates alike - participate in core programming activities, such as:
- Neuroscience research talks and ‘bootcamps’ from PNI faculty and trainees
- Coding courses in R, Python, and Matlab
- Professional-development sessions on scientific communication, career paths, and graduate school preparation
- A culminating poster session at the end of the summer
Summer Internship Program (SIP) Details
Note: As with many REU programs, the Summer Internship Program (SIP) is contingent on federal funding. Therefore, eligibility is restricted to U.S. citizens or permanent residents, per the requirements of our NSF funding.
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Application portals: Applications are accepted through either the Leadership Alliance's Summer Research - Early Identification Program (SR-EIP) portal or the National Science Foundation's (Education and Training Application portal (ETAP).
Program dates: SIP typically spans nine weeks, across early June to early August.
Program description: Each student is placed in a world-class research laboratory - headed by a faculty member - and carries out an original research project. Students are thoughtfully matched to labs based on their research interests as indicated in their application form, recommendation letters, and personal statement. Careful consideration is taken of each applicant’s overall experience, academic background, and objectives. Lab assignments are included in acceptance letters.
SIP interns participate in group educational activities, including:
- Weekly foundational overview lectures from PNI faculty
- Summer courses in R, Python, and Matlab
- Lab meetings with the researchers with whom they will work
- Special professional development workshops on topics such as career advice and graduate school application preparation
- End-of-summer poster session
- Attendance at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium
The Summer Internship Program offers:
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- Travel costs to and from Princeton
- Housing on campus
- Meal plan
- Stipend (actual amount varies by year)
Who should apply?
PNI strongly encourages applications from:
- Current undergraduates who have a strong passion for scientific research and are seriously considering graduate studies in neuroscience.
- Rising second, third, and fourth-year undergraduates, especially those without direct experience working in a research lab (or with very minimal experience).
- Future researchers who are from institutions that do not have large research programs, including both four-year and two-year colleges.
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