ISRP: How to Apply

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Summer ISRP – Summer 2026

Application Period

• October 2025: New project descriptions published in the ISRP Project Database
• November 1, 2025: Application system opens
• January 30, 2026: Application priority deadline
• February 2026: Application review period  (Note:  Some faculty may choose to conduct online interviews with students during this time.)
• February through late March 2026: Notification of application results; Students must confirm acceptance of internship placement.
• March through early June 2026: Student interns who have confirmed their acceptance of placement apply for the J-1 Student Intern visa and prepare to travel to the U.S.

Program Period

• June 21, 2026 (Sunday): Student interns arrive at UC Santa Cruz and move in to campus housing
• June 22, 2026 (Monday): Welcome and Orientation
• June 22 – August 14, 2026: * Internship Period (8 weeks)
• August 14, 2026 (Friday): Farewell and Presentation of Certificates
• August 15, 2026 (Saturday): Student interns move out of campus housing and depart UC Santa Cruz

* Notes:  

• July 3, 2026 is an observed public holiday – Independence Day. 
• In some cases, an adjustment of the start/end dates of the internship period may be possible, in consultation with your faculty host. However, on-campus housing is available only from the standard program date of arrival and move-in indicated above through the end of August (typically the last Friday of the month). Please contact isrp@ucsc.edu if you are thinking about seeking an adjustment to your internship period. 

Application Steps

Step 1:  Student submits application(s) via the InfoReady application portal

• All applications to the ISRP must be submitted via the UCSC InfoReady application portal. If it is your first time using the InfoReady portal, you will first need to click ‘Register’ to create an account, providing your full name, email address, and creating a login password. 
• Each research project has its own individual application. You have the option to submit applications to be considered for up to three different research projects. However, ultimately you may only be selected for and participate in just one internship during the program. If you are interested in this option, you should submit a separate application for each project, indicating in each application your order of preference for placement (i.e., first choice, second choice, third choice). 
• Detailed application instructions are available within the ISRP application portal. The application will require inputting your basic biographical and academic information as well as uploading the following supporting documents:

1. Statement(s)* of Interest (* If you are submitting applications to multiple projects, you should write a separate statement tailored for each project.) Write a statement of interest (500 words or fewer) introducing yourself and explaining your motivation for applying to participate in a research internship under the guidance of a faculty member at UC Santa Cruz. Please be sure to address the following points in your statement:
   • Highlight any past research experience, academic or personal experience, skills, and/or interests as they relate to the research project in which you are seeking an internship placement.
   • Discuss any future academic and career goals, and how your participation as a student intern will help to advance those goals.
   • Provide any other relevant details that would help faculty to evaluate your preparedness to undertake a research internship.
2. Resume/CV
3. Official copy of your most recent academic transcript
4. One letter of recommendation (from a professor/academic advisor)
5. Proof of English proficiency (if applicable); Faculty may also elect to conduct online interviews w/ applicants.

Note:  Placement in an internship cannot be guaranteed. Faculty may have limited spaces in their labs/projects, and placement in certain projects may be competitive. All completed applications will be reviewed by the faculty, and their selection decisions will be based on applicants’ qualifications, motivation, and alignment of prerequisite skills to the particular research project. The final decision regarding the selection of applicants rests with the UC Santa Cruz faculty hosts.

Step 2:  UCSC Faculty Members review applications; interview applicants (if applicable)

• During the review period, you may be contacted for an interview with the faculty before final selection decisions are made. 
• You will receive email notification of your application results once the faculty have reviewed all applications. 

Step 3:  Student confirms internship placement

• If your application is successful, you will be notified by email to log in to the iGlobal system – the UCSC International Student & Scholar advising platform – to confirm acceptance of your internship placement, and to initiate your request for the “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status Form DS-2019” (DS-2019) to apply for your J-1 Student Intern visa. 
• The International Faculty & Scholar Services advising team will process your DS-2019 request within the iGlobal system. They can be contacted at ischolar@ucsc.edu with any questions related to your DS-2019 request and applying for your J-1 Student Intern visa.
• As part of your DS-2019 request process, you and your faculty host will also review and electronically sign your “Training/Internship Placement Plan Form DS-7002” (T/IPP or DS-7002). The DS-7002 is based on the project description published in the ISRP Project Database when you applied to the program.
• You will also need to be prepared to provide additional biographical and passport information and upload the following as part of your DS-2019 request (more detailed instructions will be provided within the iGlobal system):

1. A copy of the photo page of your valid passport
2. Financial documentation showing proof of minimum funding to support yourself for the duration of your stay in the U.S.

• After you have submitted all of the required forms and supporting documentation, the scholar advising team will review and process your request and email you when your DS-2019 is ready to download. During this time, you will also receive a pre-arrival email from an ISRP program manager (isrp@ucsc.edu) which contains information regarding insurance coverage requirements, housing, transportation, how to set up your CruzID and UCSC email, and other pre-arrival resources.

Step 4:  Student applies for J-1 Student Intern visa

• Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and apply for the J-1 Student Intern visa at your U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
• Present your DS-2019 and DS-7002 forms at the visa appointment.
• Enter the U.S. on or within 30 days prior to the start date indicated on your DS-2019 form. You may not enter the U.S. after the start date listed on the DS-2019. If you cannot enter the U.S. by the start date, contact the scholar advising team immediately at ischolar@ucsc.edu so that the DS-2019 can be updated and reissued.

What Next?

Get Health Insurance

All J-1 exchange visitors, including J-1 Student Interns, are required to have valid health insurance throughout the period of stay in the U.S. Please read more about this requirement and learn about your insurance options here. You will need to provide proof of your health insurance policy during the orientation on the first day of your program.

Register for Housing

Approximately 6 to 8 weeks prior to your arrival at UC Santa Cruz, you will receive instructions by email from the ISRP program manager about how to register and pay for your on-campus housing. 

Questions? Contact isrp@ucsc.edu

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Academic Year ISRP

Information coming soon. If you are interested in this option, please contact isrp@ucsc.edu.

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