CS research mentorship program
Overview
CSRMP matches students from historically marginalized groups with peers and a Google mentor to support their pursuit of computing research pathways.
The work that CS researchers are pursuing has broad implications for billions of people, and we want the set of researchers doing this work to represent the experiences, perspectives, concerns and creative enthusiasm of all the people of the world. The CS Research Mentorship Program (CSRMP) supports the pursuit of computing research for students from historically marginalized groups through career mentorship, peer-to-peer networking, and building awareness about pathways within the field.
Quick links
Quick links
Application status
Applications are now closed.
Please check back in 2024 for details on the upcoming cycle.
Program details
Students are matched into a pod with a Google mentor and small group of peers who are at a similar academic stage, and interested in the same research area. Pods structure discussion and identify opportunities around one of the following topics, shared by each student and supported by the mentor through group and one-on-one meetings:
- Introduction to research pathways
- Defining a research problem
- Applying to graduate school
- Navigating the publication process
- Applying to a postdoc/academia/industry position
In addition, students join a broader peer community, and are invited to virtual networking events, career panels, tech talks, and information sessions about computing research opportunities. CSRMP does not assign research projects or internships.
The mentorship cycle runs for twelve weeks during the academic year with a minimum total time commitment of ten hours per student.
- Class A (October application): January-April mentorship cycle
- Class B (July application): September-December mentorship cycle
Past participant experiences
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One researcher's take on Google's mentorship program
A recent graduate of Google's Computer Science Research Mentorship Program (CSRMP) shares an inside look at her experience.
Read blog post -
Rajavi Mishra on becoming a computer science researcher
Read blog post -
Mentorship inspires Deyrel Diaz and future researchers
Read blog post -
37 students accepted to CS Research mentorship program
Read blog post
Target audience
CSRMP aims to support students from historically marginalized groups to progress in computing research pathways. The definition of who is historically marginalized is responsive to a specific region, context, and its nuances. This can include students with marginalized gender and racial/ethnic identities, students with disabilities, students from low socioeconomic status, first-generation students, and intersections of these groups and others.
Eligibility criteria
Students must meet the following requirements at the time of application:
- Active enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting program in computer science (or an adjacent field) in the United States or Canada for the full duration of the mentorship cycle
- Includes community college students and students obtaining a minor in computer science (or an adjacent field)
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (on a four point scale, or equivalent)
Applicants must provide a transcript (or other document from the institution) that lists their name, institution, GPA and demonstrates active enrollment at the time of submission.
- Unofficial transcripts are acceptable if they meet all four of the above conditions
- Applicants who do not yet have a transcript (e.g., first-year, transfer) are advised to work with a department administrator to identify a form of documentation from the institution that demonstrates active enrollment
- Applicants who do not yet have a GPA in their program (e.g., first-year,transfer) may enter “N/A” where requested in the application and provide a transcript/document without current GPA
Information
If accepted, we recommend you provide this statement to your mentor and/or student peers to help them get to know you, and to provide constructive feedback on your writing for future applications (e.g., graduate school, professional roles, fellowships). If possible, consider consulting faculty, advisors, writing centers, or other campus resources to review your statement before submission.
Please be sure to follow these instructions in your personal statement:
- Do not include your name, email, or other contact information in order to maintain anonymity in the review process. This includes the statement’s filename, heading, title, and body.
- Formatting
- Maximum two pages
- 8.5” x 11” page size
- Times New Roman font, no smaller than 12-point
- 1” margins on all sides
- Single line spacing
- .pdf file type
- Please address all of the following prompts in whatever structure you prefer:
- What are your interests in computing research? Why are those interests important to you, and to society?
- What are your long-term goals for your pathway in computing research?
- How would participating in CSRMP help you progress toward those goals in the short-term?
- How will your lived experiences enable you to...
- ...add value to the CSRMP community?
- ...have a unique impact on society through computing research?
Review criteria
Research interests: student clearly describes their interests in computing research (not necessarily accomplishment or mastery) and the rationale behind them
- Motivation: student outlines actionable goals for their computing research pathway
- Readiness: student has thought critically about what they would like to gain from and contribute to the program
- Impact: student has reflected on their unique perspectives and the opportunities to leverage them for positive impact through computing research
FAQs
No, students attending institutions outside the United States and Canada are not eligible for CSRMP at this time. We hope to expand to other regions/countries in future academic years.
CSRMP supports students from historically marginalized groups in their pursuit of computing research pathways. In order for students to have a beneficial experience in the program, students should be enrolled in a degree-granting program in Computer Science, an adjacent field (e.g., Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Science, Information Systems, Information Technology), or a field that includes a programming/computer science foundation.
Award Recipients
