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Mentoring Summer Research Internship Program (MSRIP)

Established in 1987, the Mentoring Summer Research Internship Program (MSRIP) is our eight-week summer research program designed for rising juniors, seniors (and some masters students) from educationally and/or economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Participants work under the supervision of a faculty mentor on the mentor’s research project.

The goal of MSRIP is to increase the number of outstanding students from diverse backgrounds who pursue the Ph.D. by strengthening their academic and professional development for admission to the University of California campuses and UC Riverside, in particular, as well as colleges and universities nationwide. Its primary objectives are to:

1. Provide preparation for graduate studies through a variety of workshops
2. Provide a mechanism that fosters faculty/student interrelationships
3. Introduce students to graduate opportunities at UCR
4. Assist the students in realizing their potential for graduate studies, in general, and at UCR, in particular
5. Expose the faculty mentors to the possibility of recruiting their interns to their departments

Many MSRIP alumni have successfully completed their doctorates here at UCR or at other Ph.D.-granting institutions. Though state law prohibits selection with preference based on race, color, national origin, or gender, minorities and women in underrepresented fields, who meet the eligibility criteria, are strongly encouraged to apply.

2011 Interns

• Trevor Hendry Dolinajec, UC Berkeley, Physics
• Rolando Flores, University of Central Florida, Sociology
• Yessica Garcia-Hernandez, UC Riverside, Theater
• Elvia Nidia Gonzalez, UC Berkeley, Mathematics
• Jaime Gonzalez, UC Riverside, English
• Jackie Gorham, Grambling State University, Biology
• Elena Guzman, Hunter College, Philosophy
• JoeSandra Chioma Idiga, UC Riverside, Psychology
• Celso Jacquez, UC Riverside, Anthropology
• Katie LeBlanc, Murray State University, Environmental Sciences
• Young Lee, UC Riverside, Sociology
• Joseph Leshin, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Psychology
• Josue Lopez, UC Merced, Mechanical Engineering
• Giselle Sorial, UC Riverside, Women's Studies
• Erin Kelly Steelman, CSU Fullerton, Cell Biology and Neuroscience
• Megan Suster, University of Redlands, English

Program Term 2012

June 25 through August 18, 2012 – eight weeks

Eligibility

• U.S. citizen or permanent residents
• Students from four-year institutions who are entering their Junior or Senior years or first-year master's students enrolling at UCR in the fall
• Students interested in pursuing a graduate degree (i.e., master’s, doctoral)
• First generation college students, those from socioeconomic hardship backgrounds, or students qualified by other pertinent criteria
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required of all students
• Undergraduates must be enrolled full-time at four-year colleges or universities

Research Areas Available

• Physical, biological, and agricultural sciences
• Chemical/environmental, electrical, and mechanical engineering
• Computer sciences
• Mathematics
• Social sciences
• Humanities and education

2012 List of Faculty Research Projects

Program Activities

• GRE Prep course
• Applying to Graduate School Workshop
• Financing Your Graduate Education Workshop
• Graduate Student Experience Workshop
• Making a Successful Presentation Workshop
• Guidance in developing a research abstract
• Research Symposium
  • See list of Research Titles and Presenters from Summer 2011.
• Some cultural and social activities available

Program Provisions

• Stipend (generally $3,000)
• Room and board (as appropriate)
• Out-of-state transportation

Program Prohibitions

• Employment is prohibited during the term of this program.
• Enrollment in other courses is not allowed.

Application Procedures, Deadline and Notification:

• Complete and sign the downloadable summer program application.
  • Familiarize yourself with the MSRIP 2011 Faculty Research Projects and indicate the faculty mentors with whom you would like to work on the first page of the application. 2012 List of Faculty Research Projects
  • Application requires biographical information, education information, and a one-page statement of purpose.
• Submit unofficial college transcript(s) from all higher education institutions you have attended, including Fall 2010 grades.
• Submit two faculty letters of recommendation (forms available with MSRIP application).
• Submit a Financial Aid Transcript from your institution (where available).
  • This can be a form or a letter, often printed from your campus' online system, which outlines the financial aid you have received each year of your schooling.  Alternatively, you may write a letter stating that you have not received any financial aid if this is the case.