The Sustaining Excellence in Research (SER) Scholars program supports Rice undergraduate students through research internships that engage individuals across a wide range of scholarly communities.
SER Scholars participate in paid research experiences with faculty mentors across both disciplinary and institutional boundaries.
About the SER (SER) Scholars Program
The SER Scholars program is a paid undergraduate research opportunity open to students in the Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Business, and Engineering. SER offers funding to undergraduate students for a research position during the academic year.
Launched in 2014 with funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the SER Scholars program has been sustained through the continuous generosity of the Bishnoi endowment. We are forever grateful to Sandra Bishnoi (1973-2018), SER's founding director, for her leadership and contributions. Learn more about her leadership, impact, and legacy. In Dr. Bishnoi's honor, SER Scholars in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) disciplines are named Bishnoi SER Scholars.
In 2023, the SER Scholars programs was expanded to include Social Sciences, Humanities, and Business. SER Scholars working in the schools of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Business are called Moody SER Scholars.
Individuals will indicate whether they want to pursue research in Humanities/Social Sciences/Business (Moody) or Natural Sciences/Engineering (Bishnoi) when applying.
Please note that while SER does NOT match individuals with a research mentor, OURI staff and resources are available if individuals desire help when securing a position.
Application
SER application can be accessed here.
SER applications consists of:
- Biographical and academic information
- Identification of research interests in Natural Science/Engineering or Humanities/Social Science/Business
- Personal statements explaining an individual's interest in research and how participation in the SER Scholars program could help an individual pursue research at Rice
- Reference
*NOTE: SER admissions is ONLY open to Rice undergraduate students who have (1) completed (or are currently enrolled in) UNIV 201 - Research Readiness and (2) will be returning as full time students in the Fall.
Spring applications are due February 18, 2024.
Review of applications will begin once all materials have been received.
Contact Danny Gibboney at dg115@rice.edu with any questions.