SURF - Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program
NOTE: The application deadline for the 2009 summer program has been extended to March 13, 2009.
- What is SURF?
- Program Components
- History
- Expectations of Student Participants
- Funding Package
- Program Timeline
- FAQ
- Application
What is SURF?
UCI's unique Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program offers undergraduate diversity students with outstanding academic potential an opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors on research projects. The program provides students who plan to pursue a Ph.D. degree and enter academic careers with the tools needed to facilitate the application, admission, and enrollment process for graduate school. The program is open to all academic fields (e.g. arts, humanities, social sciences, social ecology, biological sciences, engineering, computer science, physical science, etc.).
Program Components
Undergraduate Mentorship Experience
Scholars are matched with UC faculty members whose special expertise and interests matches those of the student’s research interest and career goals. Faculty members serve as advisors and mentors and assist the scholars in developing and completing a research action plan.
Graduate School Preparation Enrichment Opportunities
Scholars participate in academic enrichment programs to provide them with special training in areas critical to academic success. These programs include:
- fellowship workshops
- preparation courses for the GRE
- scientific writing seminars
- preparing academic presentations workshops
- academic career planning seminars
- one-on-one meetings with program coordinator for specific research skills assessments
Summer Research Program Symposium
Scholars participate in the Summer Research Program Symposium. The event features:
- opportunities to meet graduate students, faculty mentors, UC alumni leaders and scholars from other diversity programs
- scientific and academic presentations by fellow scholars
- opportunities for scholars to present and receive feedback on their individual work
History
The UCI SURF program is designed as an outreach and recruitment effort to acquaint students from backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented in American higher education (including students who have overcome socioeconomic or educational disadvantages) with the career opportunities and academic challenges associated with advanced study and scholarly research.
The goal of the SURF program is to increase the level of diversity among traditionally underserved undergraduate students who apply, are admitted, and enroll in advanced level degree programs, leading to research or academic career paths by providing research opportunities.
Expectations of Student Participants
- Scholars will be required to reside in assigned University housing provided by UCI.
- Scholars will be required to attend and participate in all scheduled activities.
- Scholars must commit to working full-time in their assigned labs (40 hours per week) for the full 8 weeks of the program.
- Scholars will have individual academic and research obligations with their faculty mentor/advisor.
- Scholars should expect to meet at least once a week with their research mentor/advisor, or more often, depending on the project and the mentor's arrangement.
- Scholars will be expected to meet with the program coordinator during regularly scheduled meetings to discuss the progress of the research project.
- Scholars will be required to submit a research outline, abstract and final paper in accordance with the program timeline.
- Scholars will be required to present their research at the University of California, Irvine Summer Research Program Symposium at the end of the program in August.
Funding Package
- Research stipend (disbursed in three payments over the program timeline)
- On-campus housing
- Roundtrip travel costs to UCI will be covered within program limitations (up to $400)
Program Timeline
The 2005 Summer Research Program Timeline is a schedule of activities organized by the UCI Graduate Division for participants in the 2005 Summer Research Program.
Throughout the Summer Research Program, SURF participants will have the opportunity to share information and experiences with participants of other diversity program including UC LEADS and the Sally Casanova CSU Pre-Doc Program.
Submit application packets to:
Daniel Fabrega, Coordinator for Outreach, Recruitment and Retention
University of California, Irvine
120 Aldrich Hall
Graduate Division
Irvine, CA 92697-3180
ZOT: 3180
Tel.: (949) 824-8730
Fax: (949) 824-9096
E-Mail: dfabrega@uci.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
APPLICATION PROCESS
What is the deadline to apply for the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program?
Completed application packets must be received (not postmarked) by the Graduate Division by February 27th of the same calendar year as the Summer Research Program.
What are the eligibility requirements for the SURF Program?
Students must be sophomores, juniors, or seniors and must be enrolled full-time at a four-year college or university. To be considered, applicants must have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average or better and be either a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
What is the application procedure?
All application materials must be submitted in ONE envelope and MUST include the following:
- A completed application form
- A two-page personal statement
- An official transcript of all college coursework
- One letter of recommendation from a faculty member who can best assess your ability for academic research and your motivation for graduate school
May I fax in any materials to meet the deadline?
Original documents are required. Special consideration will be given to applicants who are currently overseas on a case-by-case basis. It is strongly encouraged that you contact the SURF Program Coordinator to establish a reasonable plan of action.
Must all materials be submitted at one time?
The letter of recommendation and official transcripts may arrive under separate cover, but must be received by the Graduate Division no later than the deadline date.
How is my application reviewed?
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee.
When will potential SURF recipients learn of the results?
Admission to the summer program will be announced at the end of March. Students will be notified by mail.
FACULTY MENTOR
How do I select a faculty mentor?
Applicants are required to identify and assist with obtaining a faculty mentor. To learn more about faculties at UCI, visit the UCI Faculty Profile System. The database can be searched by name, department, key word or any term that appears in the research/scholarship description. Scholars will either assist the faculty member in an ongoing research project or work collaboratively with their mentor in designing a new project of mutual interest.
What information are you looking for in a reference letter from a faculty member?
Ideally, a supportive reference will describe the circumstances under which the faculty member has come to know about your work; it will go into detail regarding your unique academic strengths and your research abilities. Please use the Letter of Recommendation form.
And/or
A single letter of reference from a faculty member who will serve as your mentor, describing the above information and the mentor's understanding of the project that you will complete during the summer term. Please use the Letter of Recommendation form.
SUMMER PROGRAM
How long is the SURF Program?
Participants are required to complete the entire 8-week program.
Will SURF recipients receive stipends and housing?
Participants will be awarded a research stipend, as well as on-campus housing. All program participants will be required to reside in assigned University housing.
I live locally; will I be required to live in on-campus housing during the summer program?
Living on-campus is a required component of the summer program and contributes significantly to the overall experience. Consideration will be given for scholars with special situations on a case-by-case basis.
Are the research opportunities only available to a specific school or major?
Research opportunities are available in virtually all academic fields (e.g. arts, humanities, social sciences, social ecology, biological sciences, engineering, computer science, physical sciences, etc.)
What are the student's objectives during the 8-week program?
The research objectives of the program are substantial and require full-time student commitment (five days a week/ 40 hours per week). In conjunction with the requirements of the faculty mentors, all participants are required to submit a minimum 12-page research paper, a 1-2 page abstract describing his/her research, and give an oral presentation at a research symposium at the 8th week of the program. Each participant must attend all required workshops, presentations, and monthly student/staff meetings.
