Program Overview

Introduction to the Stern Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)

The Stern Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) is a unique research opportunity that connects students with world-renowned Stern faculty. Founded in spring 2012, SPUR provides students with firsthand exposure to cutting-edge research and the chance to work with individual faculty members. This program sharpens analytical skills and offers opportunities to explore potential career pathways in academia, giving students an advantage when applying for graduate studies.

Program Overview

SPUR students have gone on to pursue research-related careers, having been accepted into Ph.D. programs in Finance, Economics, Accounting, and Bio-Statistics at institutions such as Columbia, Chicago, MIT, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, and Yale.

Application and Enrollment Process

• The SPUR database becomes available at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters.
  • Students can browse the opportunities posted by Stern faculty when the database is open.
  • Apply for a position through the database by selecting a research opportunity of interest and filling out/uploading the appropriate information as requested.
• Students will be notified via email if they are selected by a faculty member for a research opportunity.
• Next steps, deadlines, and the SPUR registration process are informed as part of this notification.

Important Guidelines

• Research projects are sponsored by full-time or clinical faculty and should be chosen from the research opportunities listed in the online SPUR Database.
• Research projects obtained through the database are intended to allow students to study material not included in courses at Stern and as a complement to carefully designed programs of study.
• SPUR projects do not count toward or fulfill requirements for any Stern concentrations, major, or minor.
• Faculty post SPUR projects each semester, and these research projects may be for zero (0), one (1), or two (2) units (credits), depending on the time requirements for the projects.
• The mix of projects varies each semester.
• SPUR credits will be counted as part of a student's 18 allowed credits per semester.

Additional Guidelines

• Students enrolled in 18 credits for the semester can participate in SPUR opportunities that are posted for 0 credits only.
• If a student wishes to petition to exceed 18 credits in order to apply for a SPUR project worth 1 or 2 credits, which will incur extra tuition, they must refer to the process outlined under Semester Course Loads.
• Students may only register for one project per semester.
• A letter grade is assigned at the completion of the study; research projects may not be taken pass/fail.
• Research projects may not be used to give credit for work experience, including paid or unpaid internships.
• Students are not allowed monetary compensation of any kind for their participation in SPUR opportunities, including those participating in SPUR for zero credits.
• Students studying away may apply for and participate in SPUR, with the exception of those studying in locations where Visa restrictions/government regulations apply, such as NYU London.