MSRI Undergraduate Program (MSRI-UP)

The MSRI Undergraduate Program (MSRI-UP) is a comprehensive summer program designed for undergraduate students who have completed two years of university-level mathematics courses and would like to conduct research in the mathematical sciences.

The main objective of MSRI-UP is to identify talented students, especially those from groups underrepresented in the mathematical sciences, who are interested in mathematics and make available to them meaningful research opportunities, the necessary skills and knowledge to participate in successful collaborations, and a community of academic peers and mentors who can advise, encourage and support them through a successful graduate program.

This objective is designed to contribute significantly toward meeting the program goal of increasing the number of graduate degrees in the mathematical sciences, especially doctorates, earned by U.S. citizens and permanent residents by cultivating heretofore untapped mathematical talent, including within the U.S. Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American communities.

During the summer, each of the 18 student participants will:

• participate in the mathematics research program under the direction or faculty and graduate student mentors;
• complete a research project done in collaboration with other MSRI-UP students;
• give a presentation and write a technical report on his/her research project;
• attend a series of colloquium talks given by leading researchers in their fields;
• attend workshops aimed at developing skills and techniques needed for research careers in the mathematical sciences;
• learn techniques that will maximize a student’s likelihood of admissions to graduate programs as well as the likelihood of winning fellowships; and
• receive a $3,600 stipend, lodging, meals and roundtrip travel to Berkeley, CA.

After the summer, each student will:

• have an opportunity to attend a national mathematics or science conference where students will present their research;
• be part of a network of mentors that will provide continuous advice in the long term as the student makes progress in his/her studies; and
• be contacted regarding future research opportunities.

Due to funding restrictions, only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students are also eligible thanks to generous funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The program cannot accept foreign students regardless of funding.

For more information, visit https://www.slmath.org/msri-up#description_msri_up