Explorations in STEM - PSEG Scholars 

Application Deadline:
March 13, 2026 (applications can be submitted up to midnight!)

Dates: 
May 26 - July 31, 2026

Description: 
The Explorations in STEM program -- administered by URECA and the Career Center -- seeks to provide research/professional development in STEM areas to undergraduate students. Students with demonstrated need (e.g. Pell-eligible students) and/or underrepresented students, particularly freshman/sophomores considering STEM careers, are encouraged to apply. This program particularly encourages the application of students majoring in electrical, mechanical, civil engineering, chemical engineering and/or engineering science.

The Explorations in STEM supports SB students doing full-time faculty-mentored research in a STEM field for ten weeks. A major component of the program is the opportunity for students to participate in weekly professional development workshops/events, which include workshops on communicating science, poster design, applying to graduate school, etc. At the end of the ten-week period, the participants prepare abstracts of their work and will be required to present at the closing poster symposium at the end of the summer.

Award: 
Program participants receive a  $5,000 stipend.  For the Explorations in STEM program, additional support for on-campus housing may be available to a limited number of students, based on need. To apply for supplemental housing support, please complete the supplmental housing application form, after submitting your summer application for the Explorations in STEM program. 

Eligibility: 

This program is open to all current Stony Brook undergraduates who are US citizens and/or permanent residents and are committed to doing research full-time in a STEM field for 10 weeks in the summer. Note:  applicants must have at least one semester of spring/fall coursework remaining (seniors graduating in May/August are not eligible to apply).

Applications should list the faculty mentor who has agreed to supervise the project; and should provide a brief description of the proposed research project. Students who are just starting research in a STEM area are encouraged to apply!

History: 
This program was established at SB in Summer 2013 as part of a SUNY-wide initiative to increase student retention in STEM fields, and was sponsored by the SUNY Research Foundation, and the Office of the President. In Summer 2014, the program was renewed, and expanded, with increased support from the Office of the President and the Office of the Provost. From 2015, the Explorations in STEM Program has been sponsored by PSEG (2015-2016, 2018-present) and by AmFam (2022-presesnt). 

Application/Form: 
The application consists of the following: 

• Online Application

  ONLINE APPLICATION --found here --requires uploads of the following documents/files

  a ) Personal statement (up to 1 page). Please indicate why participating in undergraduate research is important to your long-term career goals. What makes you particularly excited about the upcoming summer research project? You may also include any other information you would like the faculty selection committee to know about you. 
  b) Research project proposal (1 - 3 pages). Describe the research project that you plan to become involved in during the upcoming summer, if selected for the program. The project description/proposal should be written entirely by the applicant, in consultation with the faculty mentor/research supervisor. 
  Clearly state the goals of the project and describe the particular activities and area of work which will be the focus of your summer activities (for ex., provide a brief outline of a research plan or set of experiments you hope to accomplish). Include reference to work that you may have done already and to the skills you possess that qualify you to carry out the project.

  *If you are new to research, a brief paragraph summarizing the proposed research (3-4 sentences) is fine.

  
  c) Transcript (unofficial)
  d) CV/resume (recommended/optional)

• Letter of Recommendation

  LETTER of RECOMMENDATION from the sponsoring faculty member (please direct to Karen Kernan at: karen.kernan@stonybrook.edu ) The faculty  letter should comment on the student's research or creative capabilities and potential to carry out the specified project, and confirm that the faculty has agreed to oversee/supervise the research project proposed.

 

All application materials should be submitted by the deadline.