Eligibility and Selection

Student Eligibility

The Urban Institute seeks a small cohort of bright, enthusiastic, and motivated college juniors majoring in the social sciences (Public Policy, Sociology, Economics, Political Science, etc.) with the aptitude for research. Students must also have both a strong interest in U.S. domestic social policies affecting low and moderate-income individuals, and a demonstrated commitment to public service.

To qualify, students must:

• Be full-time undergraduate college students
• Be rising seniors (will have senior academic standing at college/university in Fall 2010)
• Major in a social science discipline
• Be from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group*
• Be a US citizen or permanent legal resident
• Have a minimum 3.0 GPA (out of 4.0)

Selection Process

Candidates will be selected based on academic performance (both GPA and rigor of academic course load), interest in public policy, demonstrated leadership potential and community involvement. The selection committee will be comprised of the Program Director and a diverse panel of senior advisors and researchers. If selected as a semi-finalist, applicants will be required to provide additional information on their proposed research project. Finalists must also participate in mandatory phone interviews.

Notifications

Selected candidates will be notified by mid-April. 

*All students from racial and ethnic groups that are underrepresented in the field of public policy research are eligible to apply.  However, special consideration will be given to minorities who are disproportionately represented in distressed (or low opportunity) communities that are often the focus of public programs and policies.

Email: summeracademy@urban.org

The UI Summer Academy is supported by a generous grant from the Ford Foundation