Maymester: Research
Undergraduate Research

The Maymester Research Program is a 2-credit opportunity with approximately ten faculty members mentoring around 40 students. The program runs for three weeks, from May 8 to May 26. Students will engage in a scholarly project, dedicating 20+ hours per week to their mentor-guided research or creative activity. Participants can have free dormitory housing and a meal plan at the on-campus dining facility, facilitating immersive learning and interactions with motivated students from diverse academic interests. The Office of Undergraduate Research provides social activities and professional development opportunities.

Faculty mentors will submit applications. Applicants must list students' names, years, and majors in their "pod" and provide one-paragraph descriptions of the proposed project and how participation will benefit students. Applications will be reviewed starting April 7 and will continue to be accepted until all positions are filled.

Apply to Maymester

Students must commit to completing at least 20 hours per week for the entire three weeks. The program is worth two academic credits; students can apply for a tuition scholarship. There are no formal requirements other than a nomination from the mentoring professor. Students can have free housing and three meals daily in the campus dining hall. While staying on campus is not mandatory, it is highly encouraged. The program also offers social and professional development opportunities for students to connect with other participants.

Selection criteria

Priority will be given to projects that include students who benefit from free housing/meals, mix lower-level and experienced students for peer mentoring, and represent various departments and fields.

Professors involved in the program must commit to being on campus and directly mentoring students for at least 20 hours per week during the three-week duration. They can recruit a "pod" of approximately four highly motivated students, focusing on attracting first-year students entering their sophomore year. At least one lower-level student must be part of the pod to be eligible for the stipend. Faculty mentors can outline specific requirements and schedules and communicate them with students before the project begins. Maymester provides a stipend of $2500 to faculty mentors for mentoring four students, and additional students can join the pod (up to six students in total) with an additional $250 stipend per student. Professors and students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.