SUNY Expands Chancellor’s Summer Research Excellence Fund

$1.4 Million to Fund 170 Summer Undergraduate Research Experiences

State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor John B. King, Jr. announced the expansion of the Chancellor's Summer Research Excellence Fund on April 16. A total of $1.4 million will be invested to expand the number of paid internships from 150 to 170 for students from across six campuses, including Stony Brook University.

The internship program, in its second year, will expand research opportunities to students with financial need, first-generation students, and others who may face barriers to securing research experiences. Participating campuses include: Stony Brook, University at Albany, Binghamton University, University at Buffalo, SUNY ESF, and SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

Internships will be in fields including biology, machine learning, cybersecurity, physics and astronomy, engineering, chemistry, computer science, and clean energy, among others. Approximately 45 internships will focus on artificial intelligence (AI) research for the public good. Nursing, a high needs area not often considered in research funding, will also see new internship opportunities.

"Following the success of last year's paid summer internship program, I am pleased to announce that SUNY is expanding the Summer Research Excellence Fund to provide 170 students across six campuses the opportunity to obtain crucial paid internship experiences before they graduate," said King. "Providing students with paid, equitable internships is an important step in ensuring student success and upward mobility, because these experiences will allow them to use the knowledge gained during the program to attain and succeed at high-quality jobs after graduation."

The Chancellor's Summer Research Excellence Fund covers all student costs for the internship including, but not limited to, student stipend/salary, tuition/fees, housing, meal plans, childcare, and transportation.

"Stony Brook University is a flagship research institution that delivers an affordable, world-class education to our students. We recognize the critical role our students play in addressing societal challenges," said Stony Brook University President Maurie McInnis. "Thanks to efforts like the Chancellor's Summer Research Excellence Fund, our students are able to gain hands-on experience working with our faculty who are internationally recognized researchers and leaders in their fields. We look forward to once again welcoming these promising scholars to our campus this summer."

In February, Governor Kathy Hochul announced SUNY campuses are investing nearly $10 million in annual state funding to provide 3,000 students with internships and other experiential learning opportunities before graduation. The funding was secured through the historic $163 million increase in direct operating aid to SUNY's State-operated campuses for FY 2024.