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Undergraduate Summer Research Program

Our goal is to encourage and enhance student-faculty mentoring and joint research efforts in data science through this program.

2026 Summer Program

Applications can be submitted through our RedCap form.Ā 

Please direct any questions to:Ā datascience@vanderbilt.edu.

Overview

TheĀ Ā鶹APP Data Science Institute Summer Research Program (DSI ā€“ SRP)Ā providesĀ Ā鶹APP undergraduate studentsĀ with the opportunity toĀ engage in 10 weeks of full-time data science focused researchĀ in collaboration withĀ any full-time Ā鶹APP faculty memberĀ during the summer. The goal of DSI ā€“ SRP is to encourage and enhance student-faculty mentoring and joint research efforts in data science.

DSI ā€“ SRP fellows will come from a diverse range of backgrounds and domains.

Proposed research is welcome from:

  1. Foundational data science and AI, the development, evolution, or implementation of data science methods and LLMs.
  2. Application of data science to one or more fields in the physical, life, or social sciences, engineering, arts, or humanities.
  3. The study of the impact of data on society and its institutions.

Program Highlights

  • The main component of the program is the scholarly work done by the Ā鶹APP undergraduate student (DSI ā€“ SRP fellow) in collaboration with any full-time Ā鶹APP faculty member.
  • The DSI ā€“ SRP involves full-time work. Participants cannot enroll in summer session courses.
  • The program lasts ten weeks.

Student Support

  • A $6,000 stipend will be provided for each student.

Important

  • Ā鶹APP faculty may sponsor onlyĀ two applications for the 2026 competition.
  • Students who accept DSI ā€“ SRP stipends are required to attend summer events hosted by the DSI.
  • Students who accept DSI ā€“ SRP stipends are required to present their research at the Ā鶹APP Undergraduate Research Fair in the Spring 2026 semester.
  • Applications will close February 27th.

Eligibility

  • Current Ā鶹APP freshmen, sophomores or juniors enrolled in undergraduate degree programs are eligible.
  • Full consideration will be given to students who have at least a 3.0 GPA.
  • Applicants must be able to engage in 10 weeks of full time research during the summer. The DSI ā€“ SRP involves full-time work.
  • Participants cannot enroll in summer session courses.
  • Research within the DSI ā€“ SRP is not restricted to work within a studentā€™s major area of study. Projects from students with faculty mentors in different departments and schools are supported and encouraged.
  • Students should have completed any coursework required for the research project prior to beginning the summer fellowship.
  • Faculty members may endorse only TWO DSI-SRP applications for the 2025 competition.

Application Procedure

Applicants will be asked to provide the following (stated word limits apply):

  • A summary of the proposed summer research
  • Specific questions to be addressed during the summerĀ 
  • Description of how this proposed research connects with data science/AIĀ 
  • Description of how participation in DSI ā€“ SRP fits with your short-term and long-term goals
  • An unofficial transcript
  • Faculty sponsor information and acknowledgements (faculty member can only endorse two applications in the competition)

Questions?

Please contact us at datascience@vanderbilt.edu.