ICPSR Warren E. Miller Scholarship 2026 — Quick overview for international students
The Warren E. Miller Scholarship is awarded by the ICPSR Summer Program in Quantitative Methods (University of Michigan) to support scholars and students conducting research on electoral/political behavior. It fully covers the registration fee for one General Session and provides on-campus housing and meals during the session. The award requires in-person attendance in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Why this scholarship matters for international applicants
If your work focuses on electoral behaviour, democratization, comparative politics, or how context/globalization shapes political choice, the Miller Scholarship removes cost barriers to intensive, hands-on training in advanced quantitative methods. It also connects you with leading instructors and a global peer group, boosting your research and career prospects.
What the Miller Scholarship covers (exact benefits)
- Registration fee: Full waiver for a single General Session (First or Second Session).
- On-campus housing: Free dormitory accommodation at the University of Michigan for the session period.
- Meals: Free on-campus meals for the duration of the session.
Note: Travel to/from Ann Arbor, visa fees, personal expenses, and incidental costs are not covered by this scholarship unless otherwise stated by ICPSR.
Important dates & ICPSR 2026 session schedule (must-know)
- Applications open: Monday, January 26, 2026 via the ICPSR Scholarship Application Manager.
- Application deadline: 11:59 PM Eastern Time, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (All materials including recommendation letters must be submitted by this time.)
- 2026 General Sessions:
- First Session — Monday, June 8 – Thursday, July 2, 2026
- Second Session — Monday, July 6 – Friday, July 31, 2026
- Registration opening for sessions: ICPSR registration opens in early February 2026 (check the Registration & Fees page).
Who is eligible?
- Pre-tenure scholars, assistant professors, and graduate students actively conducting research on electoral/political behavior.
- Both U.S.-based and international applicants are eligible—there is no nationality restriction.
- Applicants must be able to attend in person in Ann Arbor for the chosen General Session.
Required application materials (exact checklist)
- Curriculum vitae (CV).
- One-page cover letter describing:
- Your research interests and how ICPSR training will support them.
- Which General Session you want (First or Second) and the specific Course(s) you plan to take.
- One letter of recommendation (1 page) from a faculty member. It must state how long the recommender has known you and the nature of the relationship, and should cite specific evidence of your academic/research promise.
- Official academic transcript (required for student applicants).
How to apply — step-by-step
- Prepare your documents (CV, one-page cover letter, recommender info, transcript if student).
- Create an account and submit your application through the ICPSR Scholarship Application Manager: summerprogram.icpsr.umich.edu (Scholarship Application Manager).
- Ensure your recommender uploads their one-page letter (or follows the portal’s instructions) before the deadline.
- Submit before 11:59 PM ET on March 1, 2026; late or incomplete applications may not be considered.
Selection criteria — what reviewers look for
- Academic and research merit: evidence of rigorous training, research outputs, or strong grades.
- Project fit: how clearly your interests map onto ICPSR’s General Session topics (electoral behavior, democratization, political change, etc.).
- Potential impact: how ICPSR training will improve your research and future contributions.
- Strength of recommendation: a recommender who cites concrete examples of your prior work and quantitative aptitude is very helpful.
- Equal opportunity considerations: committees consider diversity and context when making awards.
Tips to make your application stand out (practical & concise)
- Be specific in your cover letter: name the courses you plan to take and explain exactly how each will help your research (avoid general statements).
- Demonstrate quantitative readiness: if you have prior training or projects using statistical methods, mention brief examples or outputs.
- Choose the right session: pick the session and courses that best match your timeline and goals (see ICPSR course listings early).
- One-page recommendation: ask a referee who can write a concise, evidence-based one-page letter rather than a generic endorsement.
- Submit early: don’t wait until the deadline; early submission helps avoid technical problems and gives time to fix issues.
Course selection & what to expect academically
ICPSR General Sessions mix intensive methods courses and shorter lectures:
- Methods Courses: ~40 contact hours — deep, semester-equivalent training in quantitative techniques.
- Math/Computing Lectures: ~20 contact hours — focused support in R, Python, or math essentials, usually in the first week.
- You can typically select up to four methods courses per General Session plus lectures (confirm current course caps on the ICPSR registration page).
Selecting a mix of methodological tools and application courses (e.g., causal inference + survey analysis) is a common strategy.
Visa & travel logistics for international students
- Visa: If you require a U.S. visa, start early. ICPSR can provide documentation of your accepted participation to support visa interviews; contact [email protected] for guidance.
- Travel costs: Miller Scholarship does not cover international travel—budget for flights, local transit, and incidental expenses.
- Arrival & quarantine: Follow current U.S. entry requirements and University of Michigan arrival guidance (check UMich and ICPSR Travel & Lodging pages).
Housing, meals & on-campus life
Recipients are housed in University of Michigan residence halls and receive on-campus meals for the session. Expect shared rooms and standard campus dining options. For details about move-in dates, roommate policies, and accessibility accommodations, check ICPSR’s Travel & Lodging page and contact ICPSR ahead of arrival for special requests.
Post-session benefits — careers, networking, and teaching opportunities
- Skills boost: hands-on quantitative training that strengthens your research toolkit.
- Network: connections with faculty, peers, and instructors from top institutions worldwide.
- TA opportunities: ICPSR sometimes hires teaching assistants—good for graduate students who want deeper engagement and income.
Frequently asked questions (quick answers)
Q: Are international applicants eligible?
A: Yes — international scholars and students are eligible. The program explicitly welcomes both U.S.-based and international applicants.
Q: Does the Miller Scholarship pay travel or visa costs?
A: No — the scholarship covers registration, housing, and meals; it does not typically cover travel or visa fees. Plan budgets accordingly.
Q: Can faculty apply?
A: Yes — pre-tenure scholars and assistant professors are among the eligible applicants.
Q: Is online participation possible for scholarship recipients?
A: The Miller Scholarship expects in-person attendance in Ann Arbor. While ICPSR offers hybrid or online access for some courses, the Miller award is for on-campus participation (housing and meals included).
Q: What if my recommender cannot submit a one-page letter?
A: ICPSR requests a one-page recommendation for consistency—ask your recommender to focus on specific examples. If issues arise, contact [email protected] for advice before the deadline.
Key takeaways & action checklist (do this now)
- Mark the deadline: March 1, 2026, 11:59 PM ET — all materials must be in.
- Create the scholarship account: visit the Scholarship Application Manager at summerprogram.icpsr.umich.edu.
- Prepare the one-page cover letter naming session & courses and a strong academic referee letter.
- Plan travel & visa early: scholarship does not cover these costs, and visas can take weeks to process.
Official links & where to apply
- Miller Scholarship information page (official): https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/sites/icpsr/sumprog/scholarships/miller
- Scholarship Application Manager (where you submit applications): https://summerprogram.icpsr.umich.edu
- ICPSR Summer Program General Sessions & course schedule: General Sessions
- ICPSR Summer Program Registration & Fees: Registration & Fees
Final note
The Warren E. Miller Scholarship is a targeted, high-value award that makes attending ICPSR’s rigorous General Sessions affordable for talented international researchers. Apply early, write a concise cover letter that links courses to your research, and secure a focused, one-page recommendation. If you want, copy the cover-letter template above into your draft and adapt it—keeping it tight and specific will help the selection committee see your fit quickly.
