2026 Program Dates
June 7 – July 31, 2026
Program
SROP participants will benefit from:
- Application fee waiver to apply to the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars at Purdue University
- $4,500 stipend
- Paid travel and transportation to/from Purdue West Lafayette campus
- University housing in West Lafayette, IN
- 8-week summer research with Purdue renowned faculty
- Opportunity to present at the annual SROP Research Symposium
- Networking and professional development opportunities
- Access to campus facilities such as Purdue University Student Health Center (PUSH), Purdue Memorial Union (PMU), libraries, CoRec Sports Center, Campus transit
- Social events and community building activities
SROP participants are expected to participate full-time during the eight-week program. Participants may not enroll in classes, concurrent summer programs, or hold other employment during the period of the program. Program start and end dates cannot be modified.
Eligibility
Please read the eligibility requirements carefully, as they may differ from other Big Ten Academic Alliance SROP programs. Students from diverse backgrounds in the social sciences, physical or natural sciences, and engineering are encouraged to apply.
Applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Enrolled in a degree-granting program at a college/university in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. virgin Islands, or other U.S. territory
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Be entering their junior or senior year in college (at an institution other than Purdue University)
- Have at least one (1) semester of undergraduate education remaining after completing SROP
- Demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing a graduate degree at Purdue University (Masters or Ph.D.)
Students currently enrolled at Purdue University are not eligible to apply. Purdue students interested in summer research opportunities should reach out to the Office of Undergraduate Research. For additional opportunities at other institutions, please visit the Big Ten Academic Alliance website for information on the Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP).
“The program was more than just research; it was a transformative experience that gave me confidence, lifelong friendships, and a real sense of belonging in the world of science.“
“The research was fascinating, and everyone was incredibly welcoming and supportive. What made the experience unforgettable, though, was the people in the cohort.“
Application process
- Purdue University SROP is part of the Big Ten Academic Alliance. The Big Ten Academic Alliance universities SROP application allows you to apply to up to 9 widely-recognized summer research programs at participating Big Ten Academic Alliance universities institutions using a single application. One of the benefits of using the Big Ten Academic Alliance universities SROP application is that you only need to upload one transcript to a central location (the Big Ten Academic Alliance universities) and your faculty recommenders will only be required to submit one online letter of recommendation (TWO LETTERS required in total). Upon completion, your application will be viewable by faculty from nine top research universities.
- Applications and supporting documents must be received online by February 10, 2026, 11:59 p.m., EST.
- Letters of Recommendation will be accepted until March 10, 2026.
- Purdue SROP applications will be reviewed from February 11, 2026 through March 10, 2026.
- SROP Applications are sent to Department/Colleges for review.
- Purdue will notify applicants of acceptance into Purdue SROP by email no later than Friday, April 4, 2026.
- Applicants who do not receive an offer of acceptance by email will be notified of their status late April 2026.
Expectations
SROP participants must be prepared to make a full-time commitment to their research. Participants are expected to:
- Participate in the program for the full period, June 7 – July 31, 2025.
- Contact their faculty mentor prior to June 2025 to discuss their research project and identify reading materials that will prepare the participant to begin working on the research project. Usually, some participants require special access to buildings or take online training programs.
- Complete a minimum of 20 hours per week on their research projects.
- Attend all weekly scheduled professional development workshops, activities and meetings published by OGSPS in the SROP calendar.
- Complete all assignments listed in the SROP calendar by the corresponding deadlines.
- Attend and present at the research symposium on July 30, 2025.
- Maintain professionalism and respect for Purdue faculty, staff, students, and SROP cohort throughout the program duration.
Failure to meet program expectations and adhere to Purdue University campus policies will result in dismissal from the Summer Research Opportunities Program and forfeiture of monetary stipend and program benefits.
SROP participants must produce the following:
Abstract
- The purpose of the abstract or prospectus is to provide a concise summary of the research project that the student will be working on during their summer program. It should include the key objectives, research questions, methodology, and expected outcomes of the project. The abstract is a crucial document that helps the student, and their mentors stay focused on the research goals and ensure that the project progresses in the right direction. It also serves as a reference point for anyone who wants to know more about the research project.
Research Poster
- Participants are required to create a research poster presentation based on their research project. This presentation allows the student to showcase their research findings and share their work with others. The poster should include a brief summary of the research question, methodology, results, and conclusions. It is an opportunity for the student to demonstrate their communication skills and share their research with the wider academic community. The presentation is also a chance for the student to receive feedback and constructive criticism that can help them further improve their research project.
Personal Statements
- Participants will attend a personal statement workshop. The workshop is designed to help students craft a compelling personal statement that accurately reflects their academic background, research experience, and career aspirations. The personal statement is an essential component of any application, and the workshop aims to help students create a statement that accurately reflects their unique qualities and accomplishments.
Resume/CV
- Participants will participate of a workshop designed to help students create a professional and polished resume that showcases their academic achievements, research experience, and skills. The workshop covers topics such as how to structure a resume, what to include, and what to leave out. It also provides tips on how to tailor the resume to specific job or graduate university applications and how to make it stand out to potential employers or admissions committees. The resume is an essential component of any application, and the workshop aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to create a strong and effective resume.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Apply for Purdue SROP via the Big Ten Academic Alliance portal. Students who name Purdue University as one of their top three choices will be considered preferred candidates.
- Undergrad Information (School, Location, Major, Specialization, Credit hours, GPA, and Academic Status
- Relevant Completed Courses
- Graduate Interests (PhD Interest, Field of Study, Specialization, SROP University Selection)
- Three Statements
- University Selection Statement
- Research Statement
- Personal Statement
- Two Faculty Recommenders for Letters and Evaluations
- Transcripts
- The application opens November 1, 2025 and closes Monday, February 10, 2026.
- Offers to participate in SROP will begin as early as February 2026 and will extend until the cohort is full. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
- Unfortunately, the SROP program is open only to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. We encourage you to explore other opportunities that may be available for international students.
- Recommendation letters are due within two weeks of submitting your BTAA application. We encourage all applicants to complete their application as soon as possible, as offers will be given on a rolling basis. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure letters of recommendation are submitted in a timely manner.
Contact Information
Young Hall, Room 181
155 S. Grant Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2114
Phone: (765) 494-0945
Email: ogrs@purdue.edu