RAND Graduate Student Summer Associate Program 2027: Apply for this Paid Research Opportunity in the United States

Overview

The RAND Graduate Student Summer Associate Program 2027 offers graduate students an opportunity to gain applied research experience through a 12-week assignment in the United States. Organised by the RAND Corporation, the programme introduces emerging researchers to ongoing projects addressing domestic and international challenges. Participants work alongside experienced researchers, receive professional guidance, contribute to funded research, and present a brief seminar at the conclusion of the programme. The organization anticipates selecting approximately 15 to 20 graduate students. The opportunity operates through a hybrid arrangement, allowing participants to work in person at one of RAND’s four major US offices or remotely from within the United States.

Who can apply

The programme is primarily intended for full-time graduate students who have completed at least two years of graduate level study towards a doctoral or qualifying professional degree, including PhD programmes, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Public Health, Doctor of Science, law and medicine professional degrees, and professional engineering qualifications. Applicants must remain enrolled full-time in a graduate degree programme during both spring and autumn 2027, and students expecting to graduate before December 2027 are not eligible. Selected master’s students may be considered in specific disciplines, particularly engineering, computer or information science, and operations research. International students may apply provided they reside in the United States throughout their summer assignment, as candidates who intend to remain outside the United States are ineligible and the programme does not provide relocation assistance.

What you get

Successful participants receive approximately US$15,000 in compensation before taxes for the 12-week, full-time summer assignment. In addition to financial compensation, participants gain practical exposure to professional research environments, mentorship from matched research mentors, and opportunities to understand how research findings inform public policy. Participants also gain access to research facilities, technical resources, seminars, professional support services, and networking opportunities with other summer associates and professionals.

Requirements

For the 2027 programme, RAND is particularly interested in doctoral students pursuing studies in political science and history, engineering, computer science and data science, international relations and security studies, biology, life sciences and bioengineering, industrial-organizational psychology, operations research, economics, health policy and public health, and education policy, though other disciplines may be considered based on project availability. Applicants must reside in the United States throughout the summer assignment.

How to apply

Applications are submitted through RAND’s official online application process and require academic information, an updated curriculum vitae or resume, a cover letter explaining research interests and motivation, responses to three short-answer questions of up to 250 words each covering substantive research interests, research skills and methodological expertise, and reasons for joining the programme, alongside the details of two referees.

Key dates

The 12-week programme has tentative programme starting dates of 24 May and 14 June 2027.