About the International Summer Research Program
The International Summer Research Program (ISRP) is a rigorous summer program that invites international students from partner universities to join labs of leading UC San Diego faculty and engage in cutting-edge research.
In addition to gaining valuable research experience, students will have the opportunity to explore San Diego and engage in cultural outings with students from around the world. ISRP Program Coordinators will also arrange information sessions to prepare for applying and studying for grad school in the United States. At the end of the program, students will present their research at the ISRP Research Symposium.
Undergraduates from ALL majors are encouraged to apply!
Program Cost
The cost of ISRP is $6,350 USD. This amount includes:
- On-campus housing in a single room the entire nine-week duration of the program
- The visa document processing fee
- Fees for excursions and recreational activities and organized courses for preparing for graduate school
- A materials and lab fee for equipment needed for your lab research.
The cost does not include visa appointment and SEVIS fees, airfare, meals and incidentals.
Unfortunately, UC San Diego cannot offer financial support for ISRP students. Interested students should contact their home university to see if there any scholarships or funding available to participate in this program.
Eligibility
ISRP is open to undergraduate students from select partner universities. Graduate students are eligible to participate, but please note that the cohort will be majority undergraduate students. UC San Diego contacts these partner universities when the application period is open to promote the opportunity to students. Check with your international office to see if your home university is an ISRP partner institution.
Nomination and Application Processes and Deadlines
The application deadline has passed for ISRP 2023. Information regarding ISRP 2024 will be released to partner universities in Winter 2024
Nomination
In order to participate in ISRP 2023, you must first be nominated by your home university by Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Please contact your international office to find out how to be nominated.
Please note that nomination is not the same as being accepted into ISRP. You will be informed after the application deadline if you have been accepted.
Application
After a student is nominated, they must complete the ISRP application by Wednesday, March 15, 2023. Students must provide the following documentation as part of the application. If any documentation is not in English, please provide a translated version with the original document.
- TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test (DET) scores demonstrating level of English proficiency. Here are the minimum scores needed:
- TOEFL: Internet-based: 83 or Paper-based: 550
- IELTS: Minimum score of 7 (Academic module)
- DET: Minimum score of 115
- Unofficial academic transcript
- Letter of recommendation from a professor at your home university
- Resume/ CV
- Biodata page of passport.
In the application, you will also be asked to briefly answer the following questions:
- Why do you wish to participate in this program? Highlight relevant academic and personal information, your career interests as well as information about yourself.
- Please describe your past research experience and how it can contribute to your summer at UC San Diego. Include specific examples about prior research, internships and job experiences.
- Please describe your research interests and why they are important to you.
Your responses to these questions will assist us and the faculty mentor to assess if you are a suitable candidate to work in a laboratory at UC San Diego. Please be aware that we cannot guarantee placement in a laboratory; it is ultimately the decision of the faculty mentor.
Participating Labs
Explore the ISRP 2023 Mentor List to find out about the participating labs.
This list includes the name, a description of their lab, a lab website if applicable, and any pre-requisites to join their lab this summer.
In the application, you can choose up to three faculty mentors in order of preference. It is important that you review the description of the research projects AND pay attention to any pre-requisites to ensure you are qualified to participate in the research project.
Please be aware that we cannot guarantee placement in a laboratory; it is ultimately the decision of the faculty mentor to determine if you are qualified to work in their lab.
ISRP Timeline
MARCH 2023:
- March 1: Deadline for partner universities to nominate students
- March 15: Deadline for students to submit complete applications
- March 15- 30: Students will be informed via email if they have been accepted into the program
- March 31: Visa information sent to accepted students
APRIL 2023:
- April 10: Deadline for visa materials to be submitted
- April 10: Payment for ISRP due. UC San Diego only accepts credit cards as payment.
- June 25: ISRP students move-in to housing
- June 26: ISRP Orientation
- June 27: First day in laboratory
- August 24: Last day in laboratory
- August 25: ISRP Research Symposium
- August 26: ISRP 2023 ends/ students move out of housing
ISRP 2022 Research Symposium
Birch Aquarium Tour
