Eligibility

Vanderbilt students enrolled in undergraduate degree programs when the application closes are eligible to apply.
Full consideration will be given to students who have at least a 3.0 GPA. In recent practice, awards have typically gone to students with GPAs of 3.2 or above.
Applicants must be able to engage in 10-weeks of highly collaborative, full-time research during the summer.
- Participants will engage in research with a VU faculty mentor on campus or in another research and/or field setting.
- Participants are not permitted to take courses during the program.
The official dates of the program generally coincide with Vanderbilt's full summer session. Shifting participation dates in the program up to a week from the official dates is often not a problem, as long as the student discusses deviations with their faculty mentor. Arrangements should be made to ensure that VUSRP students engage in 10-weeks of full-time research over the course of the summer (e.g, by starting the program early or ending late).
Substantial deviations (more than one week) from the official dates must be approved in writing by a student’s faculty mentor and sent to immersion@vanderbilt.edu. Students should also discuss substantial deviations in their application.
Although the program is primarily for rising juniors and seniors, applications from other students will be considered. Graduating seniors are not eligible.
Research for VUSRP is not restricted to work within a student's major area of study. Projects from students with faculty mentors in different departments and schools are supported.
Vanderbilt faculty may advise no more than two applications per competition.