Posner Research Program
The Posner Research Program gives rising sophomores the opportunity to engage in research projects under the guidance of Northwestern faculty members during the summer after their first year. Research opportunities are available in four areas of study: humanities, social science, natural science, or mathematics. Students who are among the first in their family to attend college or who attended high schools with limited AP offerings are especially encouraged to apply. No previous research experience is necessary!
What will I do in the Program?
Students awarded a Posner Summer Fellowship will spend eight weeks of the summer working full-time on a research project with a faculty mentor. The faculty member and the student will work together to decide the details of the project and the role of the student. The program will conclude with a symposium where fellows will present their research. Check out the 2022 Symposium program here! Fellows must commit to an eight-week period of full-time work; they may not enroll in summer school or be otherwise employed, or schedule vacation time.
Each Posner Fellow receives support (which includes on-campus housing and a stipend) to cover research and living expenses for the eight-week period. The program will begin with an orientation on June 15 and 16; research will begin on June 20, 2023 and conclude on August 11, 2023. Program participants will need to move out of the residence hall on Saturday, August 12, 2023.
The stipend is split into three payments made at the end of each month of the program (June, July, and August), after evaluation of your participation in the fellowship program.
Posner 2023 fellows, please refer to this FAQ document for additional information about this summer's program.
How do I apply?
Eligible students (first-generation college students and those who attended high schools with little or no AP preparation) will be contacted by email in the fall quarter and invited to apply in January. You will be asked to indicate which of the four areas of study (humanities, social science, natural science, mathematics) may be of interest to you and the name of at least one possible faculty mentor.
Application procedure
Applications for Posner Program grants are made via an online protocol — similar to the one used by the Undergraduate Research Grants program administered by the Assoc. Provost’s Office. The application cycle for Summer 2023 is now closed.
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