International Research Opportunities (IROP)
Overseas research opportunities provide many of the same benefits to students offered by conventional study abroad experiences. Such opportunities provide the forum for students to connect with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, individuals who share similar intellectual goals. In addition, international research experiences enable students to develop and refine leadership and decision-making skills, increase understanding of ethical issues, and help enhance decision-making and problem-solving skills.
For the past several years, the Office for Undergraduate Advising and Academic Programming (UAAP) has provided UROP funding support to students interested in conducting summer research projects in international settings. These projects, called “IROPs,” generally represent a broad spectrum of research areas and interests, from particle physics studies at the CERN facilities in Geneva, Switzerland, to field studies of water filtration processes in rural Guatemala. In summer 2006, IROP research took place in several international settings, including projects in Australia, Japan, Venezuela, Tanzania, Pakistan, Spain, and Niger.
IROP projects mirror the traditional campus-based UROP model in that qualifying projects would have the approval, mentorship, and guidance of an MIT faculty member. Projects will take place over the summer.
The UAAP is committed to supporting student involvement in IROP projects through funding, programming, and advising support. Students interested in conducting research overseas are encouraged to contact UAAP staff to discuss funding opportunities and related topics. To be approved for IROP, students must ensure the following:
- Supervision from an MIT faculty member.
- Submission of standard UROP application, including a detailed research proposal, which should indicate that you plan to conduct research overseas and include details on your travel plans, the location where research will take place, etc.
- Completion of travel paperwork, as described in the
All MIT undergraduates with plans to conduct IROP research overseas, or are interested in learning more about overseas research opportunities, are encouraged to contact UROP staff in the Office of Undergraduate Advising and Academic Programming in 7-104.
Travel Paperwork & Procedures
The decision to travel overseas requires careful consideration, particularly in these troubled times. If you are invited to conduct MIT research abroad, you are responsible for fully understanding the related travel risks and ensuring that appropriate safeguards are in place.
The pages
listed below
are designed
to give you
the information
necessary to
make informed
decisions
regarding
overseas travel.
They include
MIT travel
guidelines
and policies,
tips and resources
for undergraduate
travelers,
and required
travel safety
paperwork.
- UROP
Travel
Guidelines:
Information
on requirements
for
UROP
travel,
including
MIT's
Travel
Risk
Policy.
- Travel
Safety
Forms:
PDF
versions
of emergency
contact
sheets,
travel
checklist
and
assumption
of risk
forms,
and
undergraduate
travel
forms
(for
higher-risk
destinations).
- Travel
Tips:
Tips
and
suggestions
for
UROP
students
conducting research
overseas.
- Links
and
Resources:
Links
to web
sites
with
useful
information
on travel
preparation
and
safety,
and
contact
information
for
MIT-based
resources.
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