Summer Research Exchange Program (SREP) is an exciting opportunity for undergraduate students to gain hands-on in-person research experience at partner institutions worldwide while working towards their University of Toronto degree requirements. Successful applicants travel to one of the international partner institutions to work on research based on their discipline, research interests, and general preferences.  

Students may pursue research on a not-for-credit basis or enroll in a research course offered in select departments at U of T (1.0 U of T credit). Students must check with the relevant department for prerequisites and requirements before attempting to enroll in a research course.  

Pre-approved U of T courses:

•       ∗ PCL397YO (Pharmacology & Toxicology)
•       ∗ HMB394YO (Human Biology)
•       ∗ PHY397Y0 (Physics): If a student has a supervisor in the U of T Physics Department and is approved by the Physics Chair. Physics students interested in obtaining PHY397Y0 through SREP may email physics.ugprogram@utoronto.ca
•       ∗ APS299Y (Engineering)

Research placements are full-time for 8-16 weeks between May and August. The duration and exact exchange dates can be agreed upon with the supervisor. If students participate in a program that has a fixed schedule at the host institution, students must follow the program dates. Research projects must be finished by the end of August.  SREP Participants are not eligible for transfer credit.  

Applications for Summer 2027 are open. Students are encouraged to review the Application Guide and SREP FAQ before submitting their application. 

Eligibility:

1. Be enrolled as a degree seeking undergraduate student for the full duration of the process through program completion
2. Be registered in at least one course at the time of application 
3. Minimum 2.25 cGPA (higher requirement by most institutions) 
4. 2+ years of study completed by the time of participation (exceptions apply) 

Nomination: Participation requires an official nomination from CIE and nomination is not guaranteed due to the competitive nature of the program.

Funding: Successful candidates will receive a Summer Research Exchange Program (SREP) Award of $3000 CAD plus an opportunity to apply for the needs-based IE Award or Mitacs GRA for eligible destinations (successful Mitacs GRA applicants will not be considered for $3000 SREP Award and IE Award because the GRA amount is greater of the two).

Tuition:

•       ∗ Non-credit participants: no U of T tuition or host university tuition during the summer term
•       ∗ PCL397Y0/PHY397Y0/HMB394Y0/APS299Y0 participants: regular U of T summer tuition. Please follow the payment deadlines determined by your Faculty’s Registrar’s Office.

Application Process for PCL/PHY/HMB/APS:

1. Submit application and supporting documents on Learning Abroad website by the deadline (click the “Apply Now” button, CIE funding application is part of the SREP application)
2. Applications will be reviewed by relevant U of T departments
3. Receive CIE’s nomination result (SREP is a competitive program and nomination is not guaranteed)
4. Successful applicants follow the institutional instructions to submit the partner application or secure a supervisor/project  
5. Submit all required supporting documents to the host institution 
6. Receive admissions result from the host institution
7. Complete pre-departure Safety Abroad requirements (if admitted) 
8. Travel to the host institution

Application Process for Non-credit Destinations:

1. Start an application on Learning Abroad website by the deadline (click the “Apply Now” button, CIE funding application is part of the SREP application) 
2. Follow the institutional instructions on Learning Abroad website to submit the partner application or secure a supervisor/project  
3. Submit all required supporting documents to the host institution 
4. Successful applicants will receive CIE’s nomination (SREP is a competitive program and nomination is not guaranteed)
5. Receive admissions result from the host institution 
6. Complete pre-departure Safety Abroad requirements (if admitted) 
7. Confirm participation with CIE 
8. Travel to the host institution

**Please note that certain destinations require official nomination from CIE before students can submit applications to the host university, please check individual university application instructions for guidance.

Questions? Please email global.el@utoronto.ca

SREP Destinations & Extra Resources

(Click on each destination to find out more about projects, deadline and application instructions.)