SIAM-Simons Undergraduate Summer Research Program

About the Program

Each year, the SIAM-Simons Undergraduate Summer Research Program will establish five sites across the United States for an 8-week program of research and learning in applied mathematics and computational science. One faculty mentor and two students at each site will work together as participants learn how to conduct scientific research, effectively communicate mathematics and computational science principles, and gain an improved understanding of how they can pursue a career in applied mathematics and computational science. Students and mentors from the five sites will come together via video conference to present their work, participate in professional development activities, and engage in community-building initiatives to bring all participants together and foster a strong sense of belonging.

Students accepted to the program will:

• Receive a weekly stipend, and expenses for lodging, meals, and travel will also be covered
• Visit the Flatiron Institute in Manhattan
• Receive financial support from SIAM to attend the SIAM Annual Meeting the following year to present their research project

This program targets U.S. students from groups underrepresented in applied mathematics and computational mathematics in the U.S., specifically ethnic minorities (African American/Black, Hispanic, Native American/Indigenous Peoples, Native Alaskan, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander). The program is intended to broaden participation in mathematics by students who are underrepresented and historically marginalized in our discipline.

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Apply to be a Mentor

Mentors are selected from SIAM’s experienced and highly qualified member base to work closely with the student participants and SIAM. While mentors do oversee the research activities of the participants, they also serve as a primary connection between the participants and the applied math community broadly, helping them feel connected and welcomed.

Eligibility Criteria and Required Materials

You are eligible to be a mentor if you meet the following criteria:

• SIAM member
• legally eligible to work in the U.S.*
• full-time employee at a U.S. academic institution or a national lab that is able to host two students.

*Note that SIAM is not able to sponsor or take over the sponsorship of employment visas.

Mentors will be asked to provide the following as part of their application:

• CV
• Brief abstract of the research project(s) they propose
• Statement of interest and experience in mentoring undergraduates who are underrepresented in applied math, computational science, and data science
• Mentorship plan
• Budget details (you can use this budget workbook as a guide)
• Agree to the site/mentor expectations

As this program is intended to broaden participation in mathematics by students who are underrepresented and historically marginalized in our discipline, we welcome applications from mentors who also belong to such groups. 

Apply now!

Applications to be a mentor in summer 2025 are due August 30, 2024.

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Apply to be a Participant

Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible to apply if you meet the following criteria:

• you will be an undergraduate in September 2024 (that is, you have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree)
• you are enrolled in a college/university in the U.S.
• you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

Required Materials

Applicants will be asked to submit:

• a written statement regarding their interest in the program
• college transcripts
• two letters of recommendation

About the Simons Foundation

The Simons Foundation, co-founded in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons, works to advance the frontiers of research in basic science and mathematics. The foundation provides grants to individual investigators and their projects through academic institutions and conducts in-house scientific research supporting teams of top computational scientists through its Flatiron Institute. Jim and Marilyn Simons co-chair the foundation’s board.

SIAM is incredibly grateful to the Simons Foundation for funding this important new program (award number 1036702) that will provide support and career advancement opportunities for undergraduate students who are historically underrepresented in the mathematical and computational sciences. 

Statement on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

As a professional society, SIAM is committed to empowering equitable, diverse, and inclusive participation in all aspects of our community. SIAM will provide a climate that encourages the open expression and exchange of ideas, that is free from all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, and that is welcoming and comfortable to all members and to those who participate in its activities.

In pursuit of this commitment, SIAM is dedicated to the philosophy of equality of opportunity and treatment for all participants regardless of gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion or religious belief, age, marital status, disabilities, veteran status, and field of expertise.

This philosophy extends from SIAM’s governing structures and bodies to its conferences, publications, awards, and to all its organized activities.

We expect all members of SIAM and participants in SIAM activities to work towards this commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

If you have experienced or observed behavior that is not consistent with the principles expressed above, you are encouraged to report any violation using the SIAM hotline, hosted by the third-party hotline provider, EthicsPoint. The information you provide will be sent to us by EthicsPoint on a totally confidential and anonymous basis if you should choose. You have our guarantee that your comments will be heard. Please submit reports.

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