The Student Undergraduate Research Fellows (S.U.R.F.) program is an opportunity for student fellows to experience scholarship, research or creative process in collaboration and as modeled by faculty scholars. The funding consists of a $3,000 stipend and free housing during a 10-week May-to-August summer program. The grant will be contingent upon the successful completion of the spring semester and registration for the subsequent fall semester. Student fellows may submit one S.U.R.F. grant per year.
To be eligible for the summer grant program, student fellows must:
- have completed at least 30 credit hours prior to the beginning of the summer program
- have a GPA of 3.0 at the fall semester prior to application or permission from faculty scholar
- be registered for the following fall semester
How to become a S.U.R.F.
Student fellows will:
- Work with a faculty scholar during the summer
- The work should be mostly done between May and August.
- Each application should clearly identify the expected distribution of work in amount of weeks and hours per week (in the proposal timeline) based on the characteristics/demands of the project
- Attend required events during the summer
- Welcome meeting/meal
- Regular meetings/consultations with faculty scholar as determined in proposal timeline, to discuss both the project as well as career development.
- Recommended - at least once a week while working on the project:
- Scheduled workshops every Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. during June with other Summer Fellows and Faculty Scholars to discuss issues related to research and professional development.
- Scheduled brown bag meetings every Thursday
- Capstone meeting & presentation of work accomplished to date, and meal.
In case of a schedule conflict, inform a faculty scholar and program coordinator as soon as possible.- Live On Campus
Living on campus will help fellows develop a cohort.
- Prepare two written reports to the faculty scholar
The reports should reflect on experiences at the midpoint and end of the program.
- Give formal presentations to the Alvernia community at future events
- Fall: Trustee and donor meetings
- Spring: Honors Convocation, and HECBC (Undergraduate Research Conference).
Student fellows are also encouraged to share their research with the academic community outside of the university via submission to conferences and/or professional journals.
Application & Submission Information
- To apply, students must complete the S.U.R.F. application with support from their chosen faculty scholar.
- Applications are submitted to the Office of the Provost by the first Thursday of February by 4 p.m.
- The Development and Research Committee will evaluate applications based on the student’s academic record (GPA or faculty scholar recommendation), the significance of the project, the appropriateness and feasibility of its plan and timeline, and its anticipated results.
- The provost will inform applicants of a decision by March 15.
S.U.R.F. Program Coordinator
Dr. Erin Way
Psychology & Counseling
Upland Center 125
Phone: 610-685-3257
erin.way@alvernia.edu