The College Summer Institute in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences provides selected undergraduates the opportunity to undertake intensive intellectual training and research with accomplished scholars across humanistic disciplines at the University of Chicago. Students will benefit from an immersive, full-time summer research experience that will help them to develop the skills necessary for further engagement with their own disciplines.
While the primary audience are majors and minors in the arts, humanities and the humanistic social sciences (e.g., History, Anthropology, Political Science, etc.), the College Summer Institute is open to all students interested in pursuing original humanistic inquiry with a demonstrated ability to fulfill the objectives of the program. Building on the critical reading and writing skills that students have acquired in their coursework, Summer Institute participants will learn how to conduct archival research, to engage with texts and material artifacts, to assess and apply different theoretical and methodological approaches, and to use bibliographical and textual databases and other digital tools, to name only a few practices and techniques of humanistic inquiry. This training will help prepare students for future research opportunities (including the BA thesis), for fellowships and graduate programs, and for diverse careers.
A defining feature of the Summer Institute is that students will contribute to original research as research associates matched with larger projects led by faculty, scholars, and supported by institutional partners such as the Franke Institute, the Neubauer Collegium, the Smart Museum, the Court Theatre, and the Newberry Library. The Summer Institute will conclude with a celebratory symposium, providing students with the opportunity to present their research to the University community.
Additional benefits of the College Summer Institute:
- A community of research scholars
- A research and discussion space at the Franke Institute for the Humanities, with ease of access to the Regenstein Library and its collections
- A lunchtime presentation series by faculty research mentors and undergraduate researchers
- A series of research training seminars, including but not limited to:
- Introduction to academic research skills
- Information literacy skills for academic researchers
- Introduction to research ethics and secure data management
- Introduction to the special collections and archives at the Regenstein Library, as well as Chicago-area archives as relevant
- How to produce an effective research proposal and grant application
- Crafting effective research abstracts and presenting your research: oral presentations
- An introduction to graduate study and national fellowship opportunities
- CSI Scholars will also enjoy a number of informal social events throughout the summer
The 2025 CSI will be held in person at the Franke Institute for the Humanities, University of Chicago. Undergraduate participants are expected to be in residence for the duration of the program.
2025 Program Dates: June 16-August 14, 2025
This is a full-time, 9 week summer research experience. Summer Institute scholars are expected to participate fully in their research appointment, as well as the formal CSI schedule during the 9 weeks. All CSI scholars are expected to participate in the closing symposium on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
Summer Institute Scholars Grant: $5,500.00*
- This is a selective program; up to 25 undergraduates will be invited to participate.
- This is a full-time research program. You will not be permitted to hold secondary internships or other research appointments during this period.
Application Information:
- Eligibility Information: available here
- Project Descriptions: 2025 projects available here
- Application Deadline: The 2025 Application is now closed
For general questions about the College Summer Institute in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, contact Dr. Andrew Karas, Interim Director and Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Research.
The College Summer Institute in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences is a collaborative initiative supported by the Humanities and Social Sciences Collegiate Divisions, The Franke Institute for the Humanities, and The College Center for Research and Fellowships.