| DATE | ACTIVITY |
|---|---|
| February | Application website opens. |
| Faculty submit project ideas for the upcoming academic year. | |
| March | Info sessions for prospective SuperUROP scholars are held in early March. See below for specific dates. |
| Early April | Students indicate intent to apply by submitting résumé and transcript on the SuperUROP application site. |
| Late April | Students submit their project proposals with their supervisor’s approval. |
| May | Applications are reviewed. |
| June | Funding assignments are completed. |
| June/July | Selection letters are sent to students. Students accept enrollment in SuperUROP. |
| August | Students register for 6.UAR. |
| Students submit UROP applications. | |
| Early September | First term starts; class and research begin. |
| Early December | Poster Showcase is held. |
| January | Students register for 6.UAR for the spring term. |
| Students submit a UROP application for the spring term. | |
| Early February | Second term starts; class and research continue. |
| Late April–Early May | Final project presentations are made during last classes. |
| Mid-May | SuperUROP Certificate Reception is held. |
About the program
Launched in 2012, SuperUROP is an expanded version of MIT’s flagship Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). The year-long research program, open to juniors and seniors at MIT, enables students to tackle tough problems and strive for publication-worthy results.
SuperUROP gives students the time, training, resources, and guidance necessary for deep scientific and engineering inquiry along with access to graduate-level facilities such as the MIT nanofabrication labs.
As of May 2025, 1,300 undergraduates have completed the program.
How does SuperUROP work?
Students choose a faculty member or MIT researcher, take a two-semester course (6.UAR) (during the fall and subsequent spring term) on undergraduate research, and spend up to 120 hours a semester (or more) on their research.
Often, these year-long projects evolve into graduate theses, startup plans, or industry positions.
Guest speakers from industry and the faculty also provide insight on topics ranging from technical communications to intellectual property to ethics in engineering.
Most students receive funding generously gifted by industry donors, alumni, and donors, while earning course credit.
What is the desired outcome of SuperUROP?
Prepare students for future paths in academia, research, industry, and startups by equipping them with key research skills.
Specifically, it aims to help students learn how to:
- select and investigate research projects
- explore current topics in their field
- produce high-quality research papers and go through the review process
- deliver effective presentations to a range of stakeholders. You can watch students in action at a SuperUROP showcase.
How do I become a SuperUROP scholar?
- Attend one of the SuperUROP information sessions held in March.
- Reach out to a SuperUROP supervisor to discuss potential project ideas.
- Prepare and submit your application, including a project proposal. See important dates below.
For more details and to apply, visit the SuperUROP application website.
Questions? Contact us at Superurop-contact@mit.edu.
Important Dates for 2025-2026
January, 2026
For the spring term, students have to submit a UROP application and register for 6.UAR.
May 7, 2026
Certificate Reception
Important Dates for 2026-2027
February, 2026
During the month of February, Faculty post their project(s) on the SuperUROP application website.
The application website opens for students to submit their application.
March 3, 2026
Info Session: 12-1pm, Room 34-401B & on Zoom (https://mit.zoom.us/j/95636057515).
You can view the recording of this session and the slides.
March 11, 2026
Info Session, 4-5pm, Room 34-401B & on Zoom (https://mit.zoom.us/j/93706159713).
You can view the info session slides here.
April 3, 2026
Deadline for students to indicate their intent to participate in SuperUROP by submitting their résumé and grades.
April 27, 2026
Deadline for students to submit a complete application, approved by their supervisor. Apply here.
May/June, 2026
- Applications are reviewed
- Funding decisions are made.
June/July, 2026
- Selection letters are sent to students.
- students accept enrollment in SuperUROP.
August, 2026
Students need to submit a UROP application and register for 6.UAR.