The Department of Psychology at Syracuse University offers two full-time, residential, mentored summer research experiences for undergraduate students.

We have a history of believing that everyone’s contributions matter, which is why we remain committed to creating a welcoming environment for all. Our commitment is rooted in the belief that multiple points of view, life experiences, ethnicities, cultures, and belief systems are essential to academic excellence and human well‑being.

Summer Program Advancing Research Careers (SPARC)

This SU-funded program is open to Syracuse University psychology majors and neuroscience ILM students who are interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in a psychology discipline, including but not limited to: cognitive, social, or industrial-organizational psychology.

Faculty members in psychology will serve as mentors along with their graduate students.

Summer Training in Alcohol and Health Research - Undergraduate (STAHR-U)

This federally-funded program is open to students from across the country who have strong interests in addiction science and behavioral/mental health research (for example, alcohol, cannabis, and opioid use, sleep, eating, sexual health, chronic pain, trauma, ADHD, Autism) and pursuing a doctoral program in related disciplines (such as clinical, developmental, and school psychology, public health, neuroscience, and MD programs).

Faculty members in psychology, public health, human development and family science at Syracuse University and at Syracuse VA Medical Center will serve as mentors along with their graduate students.

Questions? Please contact SparcStahrU@syr.edu or psychology@syr.edu. We’re happy to help—reach out anytime!

Program Outline:

• 8-week residential programs (June 1 to July 24, 2026)
  • Please see the program schedule below for detailed information
• Each student will receive
  • A $4,500 stipend
  • Free room and board on the SU campus for the program duration
  • Research cost support up to $1,000
• Undergraduate scholars will receive
  • Hands-on research experience (20-25 hours per week) under the close mentorship of a faculty member and a graduate student
  • Weekly professional development workshops and brown-bag sessions to support graduate program applications and career development
  • Multiple social and networking activities to build a supportive community
  • Additional weekly mentoring and support from the summer program leadership team and staff
  • An opportunity to present their independent research project to peer scholars, faculty mentors, and program advocates at the end‑of‑program symposium

Who Can Apply

We encourage applications from students who meet the following criteria:

• Pursuing a doctoral degree (PhD or PhD/MD) in psychology or behavioral health
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0
• Will not be graduating in May or August 2026
• SPARC applicants: SU psychology majors, including neuroscience ILM (STAHR‑U welcomes undergraduate students from institutions outside SU)
• STAHR applicants: U.S. citizens or permanent residents, due to federal funding requirements (SPARC welcomes international SU students)
• Students are welcome to apply to one or both programs, depending on their research interests and career goals

Apply by Saturday, February 21, 2026!

• Apply using the link below

https://syracuseuniversity.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7VvPNX2Fv53pLzo

Summer 2026 Program Schedule

Our residential summer research programs will run from Monday, June 1 through Friday, July 24, 2026.

Typical Weekly Schedule (Weeks 2–7)

• Mondays: Research at assigned lab
• Tuesdays: Professional Development Seminar
• Wednesdays: Group Work Session and Social Activity
• Thursdays: Brown Bag and Check-in
• Fridays: Research at assigned lab

Exceptions and Special Events

• Week 1 (1st Week of June):
  • Sunday: Welcome event and dorm move-in
  • Monday–Friday: Didactics
• Week 5: No program activities on July 4
• Week 8 (Final Week):
  • Wednesday: Practice Poster Session
  • Thursday: Poster Session Symposium
  • Friday: Exit luncheon
  • Saturday: Dorm move-out by Saturday night

Questions Frequently Asked by Undergraduate Scholars & Applicants:

Q: Is this program in-person and residential, or can it be done virtually?

A: Undergraduate scholars are required to participate for the duration of the program in-person. Research lab meetings or individual meetings with faculty mentors or graduate co-mentors can be conducted virtually as needed.

Q: Are students expected to continue to work in the same lab after the program?

A: We encourage students to continue research after the summer program—either in the same lab or a different one—but this is not required. Our programs have additional funding available for participants to continue their research and/or present it at a conference poster session (up to $1,000 per student). There will be follow-up events every 6 months with past participants to provide career developmental support such as their research engagement and graduate school application.

Q: How frequently are stipends paid?

A: Per SU policies, all SPARC and STAHR-U undergraduate scholars who are in good standing with the program (as defined in the program agreement form) will receive stipends once per month. Thus, half of the stipend for the summer will be received at the end of June, and the other half will be received at the end of July, assuming the continue in good standing with the program.

Q: Is there any funding for my research project or conference travel?

A: Yes! All SPARC and STAHR-U undergraduate scholars who are in good standing with the program or have successfully completed it (as defined in the program agreement form) are eligible for additional support for research activities, such as: (1) Conference costs for presenting their research at regional, national, or international conferences. Preference is given to presentations where the scholar is the presenting and first author, although limited funds may be available for co-author presentations. (2) Research participant payments for their independent research project. (3) Purchase of research-related materials (e.g., books, manuals, lab supplies) for their independent research project. Up to $1,000 in research funds is available for each scholar. Itemized receipts are required for reimbursement.

Q: Do students have to live in dorms?

A: Funding of room and board on the SU campus is provided through the program, so we encourage students to take advantage of this. However, we understand that students may want to continue to live in their off-campus apartment near the SU campus, and they may opt in to receive a meal plan only.

Q: How does our meal plan work?

A: You will get 19 meals per week (via the GET app or your SU ID card swipe if applicable). Students who opt in will have a meal plan from the Sunday they move in through the Saturday of the 4th week of July.

Q: How does housing work, if we opt in?

A: Your housing check-in will be any time after 8 AM on Sunday, the first week of June (Summer 2026: Sunday, May 31)

• An on-call person is available to help you with check-in if anyone arrives after 8:00PM.
• Your dorm moving-out will be on the last Saturday of the program.
• Your roommate will be arranged by the SU housing services office; they will aim to match you with another student in our program.

Q: Can I park in the dorm parking lot?

A: No, unfortunately no parking will be made available at the dorm. Please contact Parking & Transportation Services at Syracuse University regarding parking pass options to purchase.