Detroit Community-Engaged Research Program (DCERP)

Be part of the DCERP* social justice focused summer fellowship program run through the U-M’s Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. Learn while helping community organizations with research projects addressing social and environmental justice, food insecurity, human rights, public health, youth development, and more! Our program brings together aspiring change agents who will learn about the city, non-profits, community engagement and each other! 

Application information, processes and submission form are available in the "DCERP Application" tab.

The DCERP allows you the opportunity to:

• Work full-time for 9 weeks with a Detroit community organization.
• Complete research-based projects identified and designed by community partners
• Live with the program cohort at Wayne State University
• Attend weekly events about the history and current landscape of Detroit
• Blog about your experiences living and working in Detroit
• Build community through engagement in weekly group meetings 
• Gain critical background knowledge on the history and impact of social justice in Detroit

Students will be paid $15 per hour for their research work, and will be provided dormitory housing in Detroit.  Program related transportation costs are also covered by the DCERP

The Detroit Community-Engaged Research Program is eligible to current undergraduate students attending the University of Michigan who will not be graduating until the end of the fall 2024 semester.

University of Michigan UROP summer research participants will NOT be allowed to enroll in Spring-Summer classes at the University of Michigan unless the summer fellow is pre-approved by the Director of UROP.  Summer research fellows receive paid stipends and if a summer research fellow is enrolled in spring-summer classes and receiving financial aid, the stipend could have a negative impact on the research fellows’ financial aid for spring and/or summer terms.  

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Important: before you start to fill in the online DCERP application form, it is strongly recommended that you review all of the essay questions, and to have 3 required documents ready that you'll need to upload.  You should also gather the name and contact information of 1 reference for the form.  You'll need to provide:

1) Resume

2) Personal statement (of at least 500 words) in which you address your experience and / or interest in Detroit, your experience and/or interest in the non-profit / public sector, the community / social justice issues you are passionate about, and how you hope that being in the DCERP will contribute to your future goals

3) Official transcript

4) Reference: You will also need to provide the name and contact information for one reference who can share information about you, for example:

• A faculty member/academic adviser 
• A current or former supervisor
  

DCERP 2024 Online Application Form