Summer Undergraduate Research Assistants Program
Amelia Vasquez (right) worked with IPR developmental psychologist Terri Sabol on the Chicago Universal Pre-Kindergarten Study at IPR, which aims to evaluate the effects of the citywide pre-K expansion that occurred in the 2018–19 school year.
IPR is committed to involving Northwestern undergraduates in its research enterprise. To this end, IPR has run its Summer Undergraduate Research Assistants (SURA) Program since 1998. The program gives students first-hand experience in the conceptualization and conduct of policy-relevant social science research.
The SURA program starts off with a one-day training session, and students spend the rest of the time working on real-time research projects with IPR faculty.
We hope that some RAs will continue to work for faculty during the following academic year and/or write honors theses that incorporate policy-relevant topics and research.
2025 Program Details
- Eligibility: Current Northwestern first-years, sophomores, and juniors. International student applicants must have an eligible F-1 visa.
- Program dates: Runs for 10 weeks, typically starting the third week in June (after the official end of spring quarter). Although the starting dates, time off, and ending dates are flexible at the discretion of the faculty sponsor, a start date earlier than the official end of spring quarter is not allowed.
- Compensation: $18.00 per hour, for up to 35 hours per week, typically for 10 weeks (a total of 350 hours). All students must submit electronic timesheets and are paid for the number of hours actually worked.
- Training: A one-day session on best practices for RAs, program expectations, and university resources is provided.
Application Process
Click here to apply.
Learn More
Find about more about the actual experiences of IPR summer undergraduate RAs, including how their experiences have shaped how they think about social science research, in addition to their education and career plans.
- Meet the 2024 Summer Undergraduate RAs.
- Read the 2024 student blog.
- Learn more about the 2024 program.
Information for Faculty
IPR faculty fellows and associates can email ipr@northwestern.edu for information.