The Summer Training Program in Quantitative Methods is offered through the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) at the University of Michigan. The summer program provides an excellent opportunity for social scientists to study quantitative research techniques intensively with some of the leading instructors in the nation. The summer program offerings range from introductory courses (e.g., Mathematics for Social Scientists) to highly advanced applications (e.g., Simultaneous Equation Models, Categorical Analysis, or LISREL Models). The summer program also offers several advanced workshops in 2-5 day formats (e.g., Social Network Analysis, Spatial Regression Analysis, and Event History Analysis). For more information on the current course offerings, check the ICPSR website.

As a member institution of ICPSR, the University of Utah receives a small travel subsidy for a graduate student or faculty member to attend the summer program in quantitative methods. At present, our total travel subsidy is $500. The money is administered by the ICPSR summer program, but the decision on how the money is to be allocated is made by the Official Representative for the University of Utah. Since we have a limited amount of money, priority will be given to untenured faculty and advanced graduate students in the social sciences seeking to attend summer program courses to enhance their research skills.

In order to be considered for the travel subsidy, applicants should do two things: 1. complete the registration process for the ICPSR summer program (available on-line at the ICPSR website); and, 2. submit a short statement to me that describes your current status (faculty or graduate student), what course(s) you want to attend in the summer program, and why the course will be helpful for your research program (if you are a graduate student, please include the name of the chair of your supervisory committee or the director of your department's graduate program). The written statement need not be elaborate, but should clearly describe your academic standing and why you want to attend the summer program. These can be submitted to me at my departmental address or by e-mail (listed below).

The amount of money available from the travel subsidy will depend on the number of qualified applicants who plan to attend the summer program from the University of Utah in a given summer. If only one qualified person plans to attend, for example, that person would get the full amount. If two qualified people planned to attend, the subsidy would likely be split evenly ($250 each).

Please feel free to contact me if you have other questions about ICPSR or the travel money.

Matthew J. Burbank, ICPSR Official Representative
University of Utah
Department of Political Science
260 S Central Campus DR, RM 252
Salt Lake City UT 84112-9152
Tel: 801/581-6313
E-mail: mburbank@poli-sci.utah.edu