MMUF & SROP Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. MMUF students are expected to participate in Northwestern's mandatory eight-week Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) during the summer following their sophomore year.

Students who have made alternate summer plans may still apply to MMUF. However, this must be noted in the initial MMUF application.

Yes. If you participate in SROP, the final research symposium is mandatory.

Your summer research adviser and your Mellon Mays (MMUF) faculty mentor should be the same Northwestern University faculty member.

MMUF students participating in SROP will:

• Conduct faculty-supervised research
• Participate in enrichment activities (e.g. IRB workshops, writing workshops, research roundtables)
• Attend regular MMUF cohort meetings
• Present at the SROP research conference

Yes. Students meet regularly with MMUF coordinators and cohort members to discuss research progress and professional development.

Yes. MMUF students follow the same housing arrangements in the Foster-Walker Residential Complex as the regular SROP cohort.

A late stay will be covered by the MMUF program to bridge the period between the last spring dorm date and the start of summer housing. All other housing questions can be answered under the SROP FAQs.

Students are responsible for arranging and covering their own travel to and from Evanston before and after the summer program begins. Flights are not covered by the program.

SROP is a full-time, eight-week summer research program. Students are expected to be fully engaged through the program.

Because the program culminates in a mandatory research symposium, students are expected to participate for the full duration if they commit to SROP.

Students who opt out of SROP may still participate in MMUF but should coordinate alternative summer research plans with their MMUF adviser.