Dates: May 31 - July 21, 2023

The Summer Predoctoral Institute (SPI) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Illinois) provides incoming graduate students from U.S. populations underrepresented at Illinois with an early introduction to graduate study and an opportunity to work with a summer research advisor in their department. SPI will assist participants in becoming socialized into the departmental culture, as well as afford them an opportunity to prepare for the rigors of their graduate program.

During the eight-week summer session, each participant will enroll in an independent study course directed by their advisor and fulfill in person participation with training and acclimation activities. Students will participate in a series of seminars on research writing and grad school culture, which will respectively provide a foundation for dissertation research and enable the student to become acquainted with the expectations of their graduate program. All SPI participants will also have the opportunity to present their summer research project at the Illinois Summer Research Symposium (ISRS). Taking place in mid July, ISRS will include SPI, Illinois SROP, and other summer research programs.