Summer Predoctoral Programs

Application Open: February 17, 2025 - April 17, 2025

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Summer Predoctoral Programs at Illinois provide early acclimation to graduate school, requirements of the participant’s graduate program, and the Illinois campus. The programs focus on three main areas that support student success: academic, social, and cultural/environmental acclimation.

There are two summer predoctoral programs Options:

The 8-week Summer Predoctoral Institute (SPI) provides incoming graduate students an early introduction to graduate study and an opportunity to work with summer research advisers in their departments in addition to other programming.

The Summer Emerging PhD Program provides incoming graduate students an opportunity to learn about graduate school culture, network with current graduate students, spend a day with their department, and attend graduate school sustainability seminars over 2.5 weeks.

All SPI participants will present their summer research project at the Illinois Summer Research Symposium (ISRS) and will take place July 21, 2025.

Housing, meals, and travel are provided for both programs. Both programs also provide students with a stipend.

Dates:

Summer Predoctoral Institute: June 2, 2025  – July 25, 2025
Summer Emerging PhD Program: July 7, 2025 – July 23, 2025

Objectives

Summer Predoctoral Programs seek to address three major areas that are important to graduate student success:

Academic

Summer Predoctoral Institute

• Three to four credit hours of graduate coursework through independent study
• "Culture of Graduate School" and "Sustainability" seminars
• Technical research development
• Oral presentation skills development

Social

Summer Predoctoral Institute and Summer Emerging PhD Program

• Opportunities for networking with campus administrators, faculty, and students from across campus
• Social activities with current graduate students
• Early socialization into your department

Cultural/Environmental

Summer Predoctoral Institute and Summer Emerging PhD Program

• Introduction to community programs, services, and activities that meet specific cultural needs and demands
• Organized visits to cultural and research centers on campus
• Library orientation and tour
• Introduction to campus support networks and faculty mentoring

Benefits

Academic, Social, and Financial

• The opportunity to strengthen technical writing skills
• An opportunity to meet and network with other students who have similar interests, needs, and academic goals
• Early familiarization with the University of Illinois campus administration
• An introduction to the Graduate College and the Graduate College administration
• Networking and scholarship activities that support academic career development
• Travel to and from the Summer Predoctoral Programs
• On campus housing and meals
• Summer Stipend

SPI also includes:

• Engage in research under the guidance of an experienced researcher in your respective discipline
• Explore a topic that may lead to a dissertation topic or an article for publication

Acclimation to Graduate School

The SPP encourages acclimation to the Illinois campus, the participant's respective department, graduate school culture, and the requirements of the participant's specific discipline. If you are admitted to SPP, you will become acquainted with graduate life on the Illinois campus by:

• Meeting and working with faculty and advisors in your home department
• Becoming familiar with the demands of your discipline prior to the start of the fall semester
• Interacting with your peers within the academic community
• Participating in seminars that address topics such as:
  • Graduate school funding
  • Financial management
  • Understanding the research process
  • Publishing and presenting research

Criteria

SPP welcomes applicants from students who are interested in pursuing a doctorate and have accepted admission to a graduate program at Illinois. Students from all disciplines will be considered for participation. Students who have previously participated in the BTAA, a McNair Program, Aspire or COS are encouraged to apply.

Students starting a master’s degree program and planning to pursue a doctorate at Illinois in the same field may also apply. Program applicant must indicate their intention to pursue a doctoral degree in their SPI statement of purpose.

Student Eligibility

• Students must have accepted admission to a doctoral (or doctoral-track) program at Illinois by April 15, 2024.
  Note: Students starting a master’s degree program who are planning to continue to doctoral study in that field at Illinois may also apply.
• Participants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or approved domestic applicants.
• Must not be currently or previously enrolled in a graduate program at Illinois.

Additional Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet one or more of the following:

• Can describe how their educational and socio-cultural experiences or geographic background can enhance graduate study in their discipline in the United States or at the University of Illinois;
• Can describe their sustained commitment to diversity and inclusion in the academic, professional, or civic realm through their work experience, volunteer engagement, or leadership of student or community organizations in a way that directly contributes to the quality of the intellectual environment of the university;
• Have experienced financial hardship as a result of family economic circumstances;
• Are the first generation in their families to graduate from a four-year college.