Members of the classes of '23 and '24:

The Center for the Study of Democratic Politics is pleased to invite Princeton undergraduates to apply for our Undergraduate Research Fellows program. This new initiative, launched in the fall term 2020, is designed to engage and encourage Princeton seniors who are considering doctoral study in political science in the field of American politics.  The field of American politics encompasses areas including voting and elections, race and identity, Congress, the presidency, the courts, state and local politics, media and politics, political psychology, public administration, social movements, and the historical development of the US political system. The term of the fellowship is for one academic year, either a student’s junior or senior year.

A major aim of CSDP as a center is to encourage rigorous social scientific analysis that informs our understanding of the public policy process, elections, and policy decisions. The CSDP website is a good resource for applicants to see what research our faculty are engaged in and to get a sense of what the CSDP faculty and other affiliates are contributing to the public discussion of political and policy issues through the media, including work on race, policing, the Supreme Court, elections, protests, and Congress.

Those applicants who are selected as fellows will have unique opportunities for discussion with CSDP faculty, visiting fellows, current PhD students, guest faculty speakers, and other distinguished guests. Undergraduate fellows will attend CSDP weekly lunch research seminars and other events and will be paired with a faculty mentor who can offer guidance about considering and applying to graduate programs, based on the student’s area of interest and current faculty research projects. There may be an opportunity to work as a Research Assistant with CSDP faculty sometime during the year as well, pending a matching of the student’s interests to an ongoing research project.

In the fall of 2022, CSDP welcomes applications from all Princeton juniors and seniors, in any major, who seek to be involved in the American politics research community for the 2022-2023 academic year as a foundation for possible doctoral study. CSDP has a commitment to increasing the pipeline of underrepresented minorities in graduate programs, as well as to increasing the pipeline of other individuals who identify as members of groups that are underrepresented in graduate programs. Consistent with Princeton University’s status as an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

To apply, please submit the CSDP Undergraduate Research Fellows application form including a statement of research interest (no more than 400 words), a resume, unofficial transcript, and the name of a Princeton faculty member who can provide a reference if needed, no later than October 15, 2022.