About

The Student Undergraduate Research Fellows (S.U.R.F.) 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 $3,000.00 stipend and free housing with kitchen during a 10-week May-August summer program.

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 4pm.
  • 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 decision by March 15th.
     
Accountability

Student Fellows and Faculty Scholars will fill out two progress reports: during and at the end of the summer program.

  • Hour/week commitment: Student Fellows will follow timeline determined by Faculty Scholar, as appropriate for project, as proposed and approved in application process.
  • In case Student Fellow is not making adequate progress at any point of the program, as evaluated by the Faculty Scholar and/or Program Coordinator, the grant may be suspended/cancelled and the student would have to vacate the room provided by the University.
  • In case the Student Fellow does not participate in program meetings/workshops/capstone, as determined in the schedule, the grant may be suspended/cancelled and the students would have to vacate the room provided by the University. 
  • If Student Fellow must miss workshop: contact Faculty Scholar and Program Coordinator.  The workshops should be taped and made available to the students.  To make up for missed meeting, Student Fellow will prepare a brief report of the work assigned at the missed event. Workshop assignment may consist of one hour of work outside meeting time.  
Recognition
  • Students who receive a successful progress report at the end of the summer program and present at future events will receive a certificate to be awarded during Honors Convocation. 
  • Student Fellows and Faculty Scholars will be recognized in the Honors Convocation bulletin.
  • Successful completion of the summer program will result in faculty recognition for scholarly mentorship.  Co-authorship or other formal scholarly accomplishments must be consistent with peer-reviewed presentations or publications considered under faculty criteria for scholarship.
Goals
  • Promote and reward undergraduate Student Fellow & Faculty Scholar collaborative scholarship and creative work.
  • Support Student Fellow opportunities to experience scholarship, research or creative projects as a rigorous process of professional development modeled by a Faculty Scholar.
  • Provide career development opportunities for Student Fellows through workshops.
  • Support opportunities for Student Fellows to experience real world learning.
Guidelines
  • The program supports undergraduate students’ scholarly and creative projects.
  • Projects will be pursued during the summer (May/Aug): recommended 10 weeks, for approximately 20 hours a week
  • Maximum of ten Student Fellows per summer. 
  • One grant per Student Fellows per summer.
  • Maximum of two Student Fellows per Faculty Scholars each summer. 
  • Each Student Fellow will receive an award of $3,000 and free housing (room with kitchen).
  • Priority will be given to applications for projects that are result oriented (publication, presentation, or creative project). Result can be significant progress on an ongoing Faculty Scholar led project or new student project (i.e. development and/or implementation of novel data collection, tests, assays, and analysis, data collection at X sites that are part of a larger research project; review and summary of X primary sources housed at X library).
  • Student Fellows are expected to present their work. Presentation may focus on findings/summary of work, how work relates to larger scope of existing research, and discussion of the challenges/ issues the student dealt with in the process of generating the work.  
  • All Student Fellows will present their summer work at the end of the summer program, fall (meeting with Trustees and donors) and spring (Honors Convocation and HECBC Undergraduate Research Conference)
  • Separate project expenses funding will be available for the execution and presentation of the project.
Project Expenses

Besides the $3,000 award, Student Fellows may apply for up to $800.00 additional dollars to cover expenses associated with the summer research project or future presentations. A separate application form is available for budget requests. Covered expenses might include: 

  • Travel to sites
  • Poster
  • Other expenses directly related to project (supplies/ materials/ equipment)
  • Conference presentation (including registration and travel)


The project expense application may be submitted with the SURF application.

  • Only approved expenses will be reimbursed. 
  • If Student Fellows identify financial needs during the summer program, they should submit the appropriate project expense application form, and a budget with a rationale for the request to the Office of the Provost.   
  • Receipts must be submitted two weeks after expenses is incurred, but no later than June 15.  Materials (or other expenses) that require an Alvernia University credit card needs to be purchased by May 30.

SURF Program Coordinator

Dr. Erin Way
Psychology & Counseling
Upland Center 125
Phone: 610-685-3257
erin.way@alvernia.edu

Student Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF)