CSSI’s Summer Researcher-in-Residence Program provides faculty and scientific staff the time, space, and resources needed to research topics of significant public interest. Project work may involve grant development, data collection or curation, manuscript writing and dissemination, or other phases of the research process.
Summer RiR participants work in residence at the Social Sciences Research Building and attend bi-weekly accountability meetings and workshops throughout the run of the summer program. Workshops are designed to provide participants with additional information from CSSI staff and leaders from across the university on how to effectively fund, support, and share their work. Participants also receive up to $1,500 that can be used for research-related expenses, including support from graduate research assistants.
NEW in 2026! In addition to using research funds to hire graduate research assistants, participants may now also request a dedicated workspace for one graduate research assistant.
Multiple awards for the Summer Researcher-in-Residence program are provided each year.
Featured Summer RiR News
How the 2025 cohort of CSSI’s Researcher-in-Residence program advanced their work over five weeks
CSSI announces the participants of the summer 2025 Researcher-in-Residence program
Program Features & Benefits
Dedicated Workspace
Work within quiet assigned offices to support focused writing and research. Receive full access to the center's meeting rooms, printing stations, and break areas.
Supportive Community
Collaborative Learning
Research Funding
Receive up to $1,500 for research expenses, such as pilot data collection, transcription services, or up to 50 hours of support from a graduate research assistant.
“I love the structure of weekly check-ins for accountability. I think external accountability is always super helpful for faculty, and the structure that’s been created here in the program is fabulous for really making sure that we get the work done that we’re trying to do.”
How to Apply
Dates & Deadlines
Applications open: Early to mid-February.
Application deadline: Friday, March 27, 2026. Applicants will be notified of a decision within three weeks from the application deadline.
Program dates: Monday, May 25, 2026 through Friday, August 1, 2026.
Eligibility
Applicants must be affiliated with the University of Iowa.
Faculty members across all ranks and tracks, as well as scientific staff and postdoctoral research scholars, are eligible. Priority will go to applicants, especially researcher affiliates, conducting social science research and proposing to use CSSI research services.
Instructions
Submit the following information to CSSI through the application portal below.
Applicant Information
- Name
- Project Title
- Project Abstract (50-100 words). Provide a succinct overview of the project. Assume reviewers do not have technical knowledge in a specific field.
Project Information
- Project Overview (300-500 words). Briefly introduce the project, its significance and potential impact, and its relevance to the research program. Clearly state the objectives of the research.
- Project Methodology (300-500 words). Describe the methods that will be used to achieve the project's objectives. This includes research design, data collection methods, and analysis techniques.
- Project Plan and Timeline (300-500 words). Describe the current status and goals of the project (e.g., anticipated outcomes and deliverables) and timeline of participation in the program.
Program Expectations
- Research Funds. Describe how you currently plan to use the research-related funds.
- Residency Schedule. Participants are expected to work in residence a minimum of 12 hours per week and to attend weekly meetings (approximately one hour per week). Please describe the day(s) and time(s) each week you plan to work in residence if selected for the program.
- Reporting Expectations. Participants are asked to acknowledge CSSI in all publications and presentations supported by participation in this program, and to notify CSSI of all publications, presentations, and grants related to program work.
Additional Attachments
- Curriculum Vitae or Biographical Sketch
- [Optional] Reference List
- [Optional] Supplementary Material
Summer 2025 RiR Cohort
Bogdan Kapatsila, PhD
The Use of a Natural Experiment to Identify Comprehensive Impacts of Free Fare Transit Policy in a Small US Urban Region
Sang Jung Kim, PhD
The Boundaries of AI and Visual Journalism: Local Journalists’ Perspectives on Generative AI and Visual Storytelling
Ashley Rila, PhD
Paraprofessional Burnout in a Midwestern State
Past Summer RiR Cohorts
Summer 2024
Megan Gilster, PhD
"Social Work Graduate Student Economic Hardship: The Role of Debt and Unpaid Practicum in Food and Housing Insecurity"
Amber Joy Powell, PhD
"At the Intersection of Carceral & Sexual Citizenship: How Incarcerated Communities Mobilize Prison Rape Law"
Summer 2023
Yuan Lu, PhD
"Second Language Development and Acquisition of Chinese Grammar: A Systematic Review"
Yongren Shi, PhD
"Understanding the Social Mechanisms Underpinning the Online Radicalization"
Meghan Rogers, PhD
"Did Public Policy Reduce Crime in Chile?"
