Purpose
To create meaningful research (by “research” we mean research, scholarship, and creative activities) and professional development opportunities for students who are working on faculty-centered, faculty-mentored research projects.
Students Benefits
- Engaging in an intensive and meaningful research experience
- Professional development opportunities throughout the Summer
- Presenting their research on campus and at an appropriate conference
- SURF students will be hired by the university and compensated for their work hours
- Students may be able to forgo less meaningful Summer employment and focus on research
Student Eligibility
Any student who plans to return to CI in Fall 2024 as an undergraduate student is eligible to be a Summer SURFer. Graduating Seniors and those who will be post-bac or graduate students in Fall 2024 are not eligible. Students must be in good academic standing and eligible to be a student employee.
Summer SURFers will be selected by SURF faculty mentors. We will publicize faculty mentors projects and allow for applications from any eligible student. However, the choice of Student SURFers is at the sole discretion of the faculty mentor.
The number of SURFers is subject to budgetary constraints. We will support as many as we can.
Application Process
To apply you will need:
- A copy of your unofficial transcript (use the unofficial transcript generated in CIRecords)
- A resume. Be sure to emphasize courses, skills, and experiences that might be attractive to the faculty member looking at the resume. View resume resources from CI's Career Development.
- For each project that interest you, you must write an essay describing your interest. Explain your interest by referencing your preparation, experience, personal, and career goals (maximum 3000 characters, about 350/400 words). Advice on writing a personal statement for summer research programs.
- You may apply for multiple projects. Each project you apply to will need a different essay.
The deadline for applications is Monday, March 11th. Review of applicants will begin immediately.
When you are ready to apply (i.e., you have all your materials ready to upload and essays ready to copy into the application), you can find the application for each SURF project.
Student Roles & Expectations
Students are expected to devote the majority of their effort during the Summer to their faculty-mentored research. Students should avoid additional work responsibilities that conflict with the purposes of the program.
Students must:
- Attend a meeting with your SURF project team (late-April)
- Be available Monday through Friday, June 3- July 26th to engage in their research project
- Participate fully in the in-person Summer Interdisciplinary Research Learning Community (IRLC) workshops held on Wednesdays from 9am to 12pm
- Complete all work assigned by faculty mentors and the IRLC faculty leads
- Participate in assessment activities associated with Summer SURF
- Present their research in the Fall Faculty-Student Research Showcase (September 2024)
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I get paid?
Students will be paid in two installments beginning mid-summer (July 15) and upon completion of the program.
I am graduating in May 2024. Can I participate?
No. This program is aimed at undergraduate students with AT LEAST one semester left at CI as an undergraduate student.
I don’t have any research experience. Should I apply?
Of course! This program is meant to create opportunities to gain experience. Students with no past research experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
Who chooses the Summer SURF Students?
The Student Research Office validates student eligibility, and the faculty mentors choose their student researchers from among the eligible applicants.
Do I have to be a rising Senior?
No. In fact, choosing students who are rising Sophomores or rising Juniors allows students to have more than one student research experience before graduating.