The Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) is a collaboration across the Big Ten Academic Alliance. As a land-grant institution, The Ohio State University is devoted to accessible education and helping those in our communities through research translation and outreach. Participants at The Ohio State University, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) will be matched with a faculty mentor and pursue cutting edge research at one of the top institutions in the nation. From understanding best practices for growing food, pest management, animal reproduction and nutrition, environmental quality, zoonotic diseases... the research at our college touches every aspect of life.
The program runs for 9 weeks and anticipated dates are May 28, 2024 to July 26, 2024.
If you are aware of a faculty member, lab, or department that you would like to work with, please include that information in your application to help us match you with a mentor. If you have questions about the CFAES program, please contact Tiffany Halsell.
Unsure whether your research interests fall within the college? Read more about our academic departments here: https://grad.cfaes.ohio-state.edu/future-students/cfaes-graduate-programs
Academic Benefits
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Participants are assigned a research advisor (Faculty Mentor) who will guide their summer research. The Faculty Mentor will be from a discipline, or is involved in research, that matches the participant's research interests.
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Participants will attend a weekly Graduate School Prep Seminar to help students prepare for graduate school. Topics include how to apply to graduate school, developing a research poster, writing a personal statement, and more.
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All SROP participants will have the opportunity to present their summer research project. Taking place in late July, this event typically includes SROP at Ohio State as well as other summer research programs.
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As a summer student at Ohio State you will have access to the University Libraries. There are also specific librarians within the college who can offer one-on-one support.
Financial Benefits
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Each student who is selected will receive a $5,000 stipend, travel expenses, a meal plan, and housing for the duration of the program.
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Participants in the SROP are eligible for unique graduate funding, such as the Patrick S. Osmer Fellowship from the Graduate School.
Who should apply
Participation in the Summer Research Opportunities Program is open to all undergraduate students who meet the below criteria, including minority students, first-generation college students and students from low-income families, regardless of race or ethnicity.
Applicants should be:
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (4.0 scale).
- Be a citizen or a permanent resident of the U.S.
- 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.
When applying to Ohio State SROP, we recommend:
- Apply to the program early; we review applications on a rolling basis, beginning in November
- Submit all applications materials in advance of the deadlines. Letters of recommendation should be requested well in advance of the submission deadlines.
Personal Statement
Your personal statement should include:
- Your interest in pursuing a graduate degree
- Steps you have taken to prepare for graduate school
- Why you choose your area of study
- Your career goals
- Key factors shaping your academic pursuits
Statement of Research Interest
Your statement of interest should include:
- Your research interests, including any academic departments you are interested in (see CFAES departments here)
- Your research experience and training
- Your relevant academic coursework
- Why you would like to conduct research
- What you would like to do in the future with your research
We also encourage you to include faculty members who you may wish to work with over the summer (note, this does not guarantee a placement with a particular faculty member).