Ohio State University’s Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) is 8-weeks in length starting May 28 and ending July 25, 2025.
If you have questions regarding your Ohio State’s Summer Research Opportunities Program, please contact the Graduate School via email.
The Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) is a gateway to graduate education at Big Ten Academic Alliance universities. SROP helps prepare undergraduates for graduate study through intensive research experiences with faculty mentors and enrichment activities. SROP seeks to increase the number of students who can pursue graduate education by focusing on increasing program and research access that will prepare future students for successful careers at the graduate level.
Through SROP, undergraduate students can enhance their academic and research skills by working one-on-one with a faculty mentor from top-ranked research institutions. SROP activities are designed to prepare students as graduate applicants through:
- Weekly campus-based educational enrichment activities that will broaden views of graduate education and research, while strengthening technical skills.
- Campus workshops focused on graduate admission procedures, financial aid opportunities, test-taking skills, preparing a presentation, and expose you to a wide range of research fields.
- Informal social gatherings that provide a relaxed setting for students and faculty to exchange ideas and share experiences.
- At the end of the summer, students will present the results of their research project at a symposium or poster session held on Ohio State’s campus.
Eligibility
Please note: The SROP program is not for students pursuing professional degrees such as law, medical, and MBA degrees. Students who have completed an undergraduate degree are not eligible.
Students wishing to participate in SROP must meet all of the following criteria:
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (4.0 scale)
- Be a citizen or a permanent resident of the U.S.
- Be enrolled in a degree-granting program at a college or university in the United States, Puerto Rico, or other U.S. territory
- Have completed at least two semesters of undergraduate education by the time of the summer experience
- Have at least one semester of undergraduate education remaining after completing the summer research experience
- Have a strong interest in pursuing a Ph.D.
Selected participants will be expected to complete 40 hours of research each week. Participants must be willing to devote full-time to the program during the eight- to 10-week session. Due to the intense research schedule, SROP participants cannot work an additional job during the summer program.
Program Benefits
SROP participants at Ohio State receive the following:
- $5,000 stipend
- $1,000 in dining dollars
- Meal Plan
- Housing (for students not already living in Columbus)
- Roundtrip Travel to and from Columbus, OH
- Recreation and Physical Activity Center (RPAC) Membership
- Weekly skill-building workshops
Applying
Applications for SROP 2025 are now closed and applications for SROP 2026 will open in November 2025.
When applying to Ohio State SROP, we recommend:
- Apply to the program early; we review applications on a rolling basis, beginning in November
- Submit all applications materials in advance of the deadlines. Letters of recommendation should be requested well in advance of the submission deadlines.
Personal Statement
Your personal statement should include,
- Your interest in pursuing a graduate degree
- Steps you have taken to prepare for graduate school
- Why you choose your area of study
- Your career goals
- Key factors shaping your academic pursuits
Statement of Research Interest
Your statement of interest should include
- your research interests
- your research experience and training
- your relevant academic coursework
- why you would like to conduct research
- what you would like to do in the future with your research