The Emerging Scholars Paid Summer Research Internship Program

Applications are closed for Summer 2024!

Check back in Winter 2025 for details on applications for Summer 2025.

View the Summer 2024 Application Here

This internship will provide a unique opportunity for ASU students underrepresented in psychology (priority given to rising sophomores and juniors) to build research skills, connect with the scientific community, and begin developing a scholar-researcher identity. Interns will work with a faculty mentor to learn about the research process and develop a research project. Interns will participate in graduate school preparation and research training (e.g., writing workshops, networking opportunities), as well as small group meetings and one-on-one meetings with their mentors. Contingent on funding availability and performance, in terms will be invited back for a second summer to complete their project, prepare to present the results, and receive mentorship training as they mentor a new intern cohort.

Interns will receive a stipend of $4,800 in year 1 and $4,800 if invited back in year 2. Upon successful completion of their project, interns will be eligible to apply for $1,000 in conference travel funds.

You can earn up to $10,600 for conducting research for up to two summers!

Previous research experience is helpful but not required. We are looking for creative, curious students motivated to develop psychology research skills! Review participating lab websites below and indicate which labs you are interested in joining in your application.

 

Participating Laboratories

One intern, the NSF Emerging Scholar, will be selected to join the Emerging Minds Lab to work with Drs. Kelsey Lucca and Julie Vaisarova. The Emerging Minds Lab is a developmental psychology lab investigating the development of curiosity during infancy and early childhood.

A second intern, the “ENERGIZE” Emerging Scholar, will be selected to join the Learning and Development Lab to work with Dr. Viridiana Benitez. The Learning and Development Lab is a developmental psychology lab studying how cognition and experience influence word learning across development.

 

Time Commitment and Stipend

The 2024 internship will take place in person on ASU’s Tempe campus from May 20th to August 2nd. To provide an in-depth research experience, interns are expected to commit 30 hours/week for the 11-week duration of the program. Interns will receive a stipend of $4,800 to support their participation and will need to arrange their own housing for the duration of the program. A housing stipend may be available for students not local to Tempe.

 

Summer Internship Activities

Interns will learn about all aspects of the research process. Example activities include:

  • Learn about behavioral observation coding, data collection, and data management

  • Engage in community outreach and family recruitment activities

  • Develop technical research skills, including research design, methods, and analysis

  • Attend weekly lab and project meetings to present and discuss research

  • Receive training in reading and critically analyzing empirical articles

 

Eligibility for the Summer Internship requires:

  • Full-time undergraduate student status at Arizona State University throughout the duration of the program. Priority will be given to students starting their sophomore or junior year in Fall 2024.

  • This program aims to support students from groups underrepresented in psychological science (e.g., students from minoritized racial or ethnic groups, first-generation college students, LGBTQ+ students, students from low-income backgrounds, and students with disabilities). Students from underrepresented backgrounds will be given priority.

  • For students applying to the Emerging Minds Lab: U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required (unfortunately, due to federal grant restrictions, international student visas do not make students eligible for this position).

 

To Apply for Summer 2024:

  1. Complete this application. You will provide some background information, indicate which labs you are interested in joining, and upload a statement of interest (see application for detailed instructions).

  2. Identify someone who is willing and able to serve as a reference for you (we will contact references for applicants who make it past the first round of review).

Applications must be completed on or before March 24th for consideration.

 

Questions? Contact the internship director, Dr. Julie Vaisarova (jvaisaro@asu.edu).

 

This internship is supported by an NSF CAREER Award “Cultivating Curiosity to Promote Learning and Discovery” awarded to Kelsey Lucca (BCS 2047194) and by the ASU Department of Psychology ENERGIZE Initiative.