SURF FAQs
▼ Why can I not see the SURF application in JagSpot?
- You must complete and submit the JagSpot General Application for the current academic year before the application is a choice.
- It is listed as “Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship”; it is not abbreviated as SURF
▼ Whom should I ask for a letter of recommendation?Your letter of recommendation should come from a faculty member that is familiar with you and your capabilities, but NOT from your mentor. Your mentor will describe your suitability for the project in the Mentor Agreement Form.▼ Why does the application ask about how many hours of courses I plan to take during the summer? Does this affect my eligibility?We ask about your course load to make sure you are not taking too many hours to have time for your project. You do not have to be enrolled to be eligible for SURF.▼ Can I apply for SURF if I am graduating?No, to be eligible for SURF funding, you must be enrolled as an undergraduate for the upcoming fall semester. You are not eligible if you are graduating in the current spring or summer semesters.▼ Can I participate in SURF if I am not on campus this summer?It’s fine if your research can be conducted remotely as long as your mentor agrees, but you must be on campus for the mandatory professional development days during the summer.▼ Can I have co-mentors on my project?Yes. Submit one as the mentor on the application. Note the co-mentor in one of the other application fields. Have both submit the Mentor Agreement Form▼ What are the reviewers looking for during the selection process?Read through the “Criteria for Proposal Review” on page 2 of the Request for Proposals file for things the reviewers will be looking for.▼ What is required as part of the SURF program?
- Complete safety training specified by your mentor
- Complete progress reports and benchmarks in order to receive stipend payments.
- Sample benchmarks: bibliography, paper/poster template, etc
- Attend mandatory on-campus professional development days
- Present a poster at the Undergraduate Research Symposium during the fall semester.
▼ How will I receive the stipend payments?
- It will be distributed in 5 installments based on meeting each benchmark.
- Payments for missed benchmark deadlines will be paid with a future installment.
- The payment will be applied to your Student Account.
- If you have an outstanding balance on your account, the payment will be applied to the balance before the remainder is refunded to you.
▼ Will I receive my stipend payment if I miss a deadline?If a benchmark is submitted after the deadline, the payment will be processed with a future installment. Continued missed deadlines may result in forfeiture of a payment.▼ Is there money available for supplies and travel?
- Up to $300 is available to SURF awardees for supplies and/or field work travel.
- Funding is only available during the summer in which the award is provided.
- Field work travel MUST be preapproved.
- The purpose of the travel must be linked to the SURF project.
- The travel and reimbursement must be completed during the summer in which the award is provided.
▼ How do I place a SURF supply request?
Awardees and mentors will have access to a Supply Request form on the SURF Canvas site to submit their needs.▼ Is there a deadline to submit supply and travel funding?July 1, 2024 is the deadline to submit your requests.▼ What is required for the final project?This could be a paper or a poster. Make sure to discuss this with your mentor so that you are aware of their expectations for a final project.