The institute does not have many activities for undergraduates. Undergraduates interested in mathematics may be interested in volunteering to work with a math circle or a Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival. Of course anyone is welcome to attend talks at the institute, however most talks will be aimed at an audience of research mathematicians.

The one program at the institute specially designed for undergraduates is the 6 week MSRI-UP summer research program. The MSRI-UP summer program is designed for undergraduate students who have completed two years of university-level mathematics courses and would like to conduct research in the mathematical sciences. Due to funding restrictions, only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply and the program cannot accept foreign students regardless of funding.