Undergraduate Fellowship Internship Fully Funded

MIT Summer Research Program for Undergraduate Students 2026

Posted on: 19 Nov, 2025 Deadline: 20 Jan, 2026

The MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP) is a competitive summer initiative designed to promote the value of graduate education, broaden participation in the research enterprise, and prepare and recruit exceptional undergraduate students for graduate study at MIT and beyond.

Launched in 1986, the MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP) was created to expand access to research opportunities for students whose educational journeys and experiences have not always aligned with traditional pathways into graduate education. The program continues to foster a more inclusive academic environment by supporting students with diverse life experiences, academic interests, and educational backgrounds.

MSRP seeks to identify talented undergraduates who might benefit from spending a summer on MIT’s campus, conducting research under the guidance of MIT faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and advanced graduate students.

Students who participate in this program will be better prepared and motivated to pursue advanced degrees, thereby helping to sustain a rich talent pool in critical areas of research and innovation.

Summary

Application Deadline: January 20, 2026
Value: Fully funded – research training, housing, stipend & travel support
Study Level: Undergraduate (Sophomore, Junior, Non-graduating Senior)
Sponsor: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
City to Study: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Eligible Country: All Countries

Eligibility Criteria for MIT Summer Research Program for Undergraduate Students 2026

Have a minimum 3.5 overall or major GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
Be enrolled full-time in a degree-granting program at a US institution of higher education located in the US or its territories (excluding MIT).
Be a sophomore, junior, or non-graduating senior with at least two academic years of college coursework completed (excluding college credit earned during high school or its equivalent). Students should not be graduating prior to December 2026.
Note: First-year students from select undergraduate institutions may be eligible to apply through the Leadership Alliance’s James H. Wyche First Year Research Program (FYRE). Learn more about FYRE eligibility here.
Have an interest in pursuing a graduate degree in one of MIT’s graduate programs, Sloan professional programs not included (MBA, EMBA, LGO, etc).
Have a genuine interest in pursuing a career in academic research and/or teaching.
Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, non-U.S. citizen with DACA, or international student with an appropriate visa and work authorization.

Participating Departments

If your interested department is not listed above, we encourage you to explore these other summer opportunities.

Benefits of MIT Summer Research Program for Undergraduate Students 2026

Mentored Research Experience: Work under the guidance of an MIT faculty member, with additional support from a postdoctoral fellow or advanced graduate student.
Graduate School Preparation: Receive individualized advising on academic and research career pathways, including feedback on coursework and lab skill development.
Scholarly Engagement: Gain the opportunity to contribute to publishable research and potentially co-author a scientific paper with your faculty mentor.
Cutting-Edge Facilities: Conduct research in state-of-the-art laboratories across MIT departments and interdisciplinary centers.
Financial Support: Weekly stipend, round-trip travel to MIT, meal subsidy, and housing are provided.
Campus Access: Enjoy access to MIT’s libraries, athletic facilities, and health services.

How to Apply

• Apply online through the MSRP application portal

• Prepare transcript, resume, recommendation letters, and statement of purpose

• Attend application workshops for support

• Apply early and consider applying to multiple research opportunities

For more information, visit MIT Summer Research Program 2026

Application Deadline

January 20, 2026

Application Link(s)

Apply for MIT Summer Research Program for Undergraduate Students 2026

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