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International Summer Research Program (ISRP)
June 29-August 30, 2025

(This page has a friendly link that's easy to remember: ISRP.ucsd.edu) 

The International Summer Research Program (ISRP) is a rigorous summer program that invites international students from partner universities to join labs of leading UC San Diego faculty and engage in cutting-edge research.

In addition to gaining valuable research experience, students will have the opportunity to explore San Diego and engage in cultural, academic and professional enrichment activities. At the end of the program, students will present their research at the ISRP Research Symposium. ISRP accepts all disciplines and fields of study! Detailed information is provided below.

The application cycle for ISRP 2025 will open in late Fall 2024/ early Winter 2025. Please revisit this page for information on how to apply for ISRP 2025. 

Program Details and Important Information

Program Cost

The cost of ISRP is $5,500 USD. This amount includes:

  • On-campus housing in a single room the entire nine-week duration of the program
  • The visa document processing fee
  • Fees for activities and excursions
  • A materials and lab fee for equipment needed for your lab research

The cost does not include visa appointment and SEVIS fees, airfare, meals and incidentals. Students must pay the full fee to participate. 

Unfortunately, UC San Diego cannot offer financial support for ISRP students. Interested students should contact their home university to see if there any scholarships or funding available to participate in this program.

Eligibility

ISRP is only open to students from select partner universities. Graduate students are eligible to participate, but please note that the majority of the cohort would be undergraduate students. 

It is important to note that students must be able to participate in ISRP for the full duration of the program. Students cannot arrive after the start date or leave before the end date of the program. 

In order to participate, you must first be nominated by your home university. More information about the nomination and application process is below.

Nomination and Application Processes and Deadlines

Nomination:

Nomination and application deadlines will be released in early 2025 for the next International Summer Research Program. Please note that nomination is not the same as being accepted into ISRP. You will be informed after the application deadline if you have been accepted. 

Application Materials:

 Students must provide the following documentation as part of the application. If any documentation is not in English, please provide a translated version with the original document.
  • TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test (DET) scores demonstrating level of English proficiency. Here are the minimum scores needed:
    • TOEFL: Internet-based: 83 or Paper-based: 550
    • IELTS: Minimum score of 7 (Academic module)
    • DET: Minimum score of 115
  • Unofficial academic transcript
  • Letter of recommendation from a professor at your home university
  • Resume/ CV
  • Biodata page of passport. 
In the application, you will also be asked to briefly answer the following questions:
  1. Why do you wish to participate in this program? Highlight relevant academic and personal information, your career interests as well as information about yourself.
  2. Please describe your past research experience and how it can contribute to your summer at UC San Diego. Include specific examples about prior research, internships and job experiences. 
  3. Please describe your research interests and why they are important to you.
Your responses to these questions will assist us and the faculty mentor to assess if you are a suitable candidate to work in a laboratory at UC San Diego. Please be aware that we cannot guarantee placement in a laboratory; it is ultimately the decision of the faculty mentor. 

Participating Labs

The list of participating labs will be released in early 2025 for next summer's International Summer Research Program.

In the application, you can choose up to three faculty mentors in order of preference. It is important that you review the description of the research projects and pay attention to any pre-requisites to ensure you are qualified to participate in the research project.

If you want to work with a faculty member or in a lab that is not on the list, you can add the name of the faculty member and the lab name in your application. The ISRP coordinators will contact that lab to see if they are willing to accept a student for the summer. It is strongly recommended that you select at least one faculty member from the list when you select your top three three faculty mentors.

Please be aware that we cannot guarantee placement in a laboratory; it is ultimately the decision of the faculty mentor to determine if you are qualified to work in their lab.

ISRP Timeline 2025*

*Please note this is a tentative timeline; any changes will be communicated to partner universities and students. -The following dates reflect the Pacific/ American West Coast time zone. 

MARCH 2025:

  • March 14: Deadline for partner universities to nominate students for ISRP. 
  • March 31: Deadline for students to submit their application to ISRP. 

APRIL 2025:

  • April 7: Students will be informed whether or not they are accepted into ISRP. 
  • April 7: Accepted students will be sent visa information and program packets to complete.
  • April 18: Deadline to submit Visa Application and Program Packet.
JUNE 2025:
  • June 29: ISRP student move-in day.
  • June 30: ISRP orientation

JULY 2025:

  • July 1: First day in laboratory
AUGUST 2025:
  • August 28: Last day in laboratory
  • August 29: ISRP Research Symposium
  • August 30: ISRP 2025 ends/students move out of housing