Program Overview

Summer Undergraduate Research Program

The Summer Undergraduate Research Program is designed to provide undergraduate research students and Primary Investigators (PIs) with the opportunity and support for full-time research over the 8-week summer session. The program is intended to support students in full-time research endeavors, with selected students conducting research under the guidance of a full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty member.

Program Guidelines

• The program is open to degree-seeking students consistently enrolled in classes at Kennesaw State University.
• Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be enrolled in classes the following fall semester.
• Students must be undergraduate students who will not graduate until at least one semester after the program ends.
• Students must not have previously participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP).
• Students must have already identified a faculty research mentor with whom to work on research in the summer.

Eligibility for Primary Investigators (PIs)

• PIs must be full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty members at Kennesaw State University.
• PIs must be available to actively mentor the student for the entire 8-week summer session.
• PIs must have already identified a student with whom to work on research in the summer.
• PIs must have a well-defined project or multiple projects that the student will work on during the 8-week summer session.
• PIs must be eligible for the entire stipend payment ($4,000) without exceeding the summer payment cap.

International Student Considerations

• International students on H-4, L-2, R-2, or E-2 dependent visas are not eligible for stipend payments and therefore cannot be considered for SURP.
• Visa status must allow for work authorization in order to receive stipend payments.
• Student "volunteers" are not allowed to participate in a program where other students are being compensated for the same work.

Post-Award Instructions

• Upon notification of awards, student/faculty pairs will have five business days to sign the SURP MOU as acknowledgment and acceptance of the position.
• Failure to do so will be considered a forfeiture.

Accepted Student Requirements

• Students are required to work 40 hours per week during the entire 8-week summer session.
• Students are required to attend professional development workshops in-person.
• Students are required to submit an abstract and actively present at the Fall Symposium of Student Scholars.
• Students are required to work supervised by a full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty member.
• Students are required to abide by the KSU Codes of Conduct at all times, including proper usage of institutional resources and funding.
• Students are required to complete bi-weekly progress reports and an End of Program Experience Survey.

Accepted PI Requirements

• PIs are required to actively mentor the accepted student for the entire 8-week summer session.
• PIs are required to attend the first (orientation) and last (wrap-up) professional development workshops.
• PIs are required to complete bi-weekly progress reports and an End of Program Experience Survey.
• PIs are required to commit a minimum of 1 hour to judge at the Symposium of Student Scholars, each semester.

Student Stipend Information

• Students will earn a stipend of $4,000.
• The stipend will be awarded in three payments: June ($2,000), July ($1,500), and November ($500).
• Accepted students must show a commitment to the stated working hours and attending the professional development workshops in order to receive the second payment.
• The Symposium requirement must be fulfilled to receive the final payment.

Primary Investigator (PI) Stipend Information

• PIs will earn a stipend of $4,000.
• PIs must check with their Chair or Faculty Affairs Coordinator to ensure they are eligible for the full payment before applying.

Project Purchasing Information and Deadlines

• Accepted projects can apply for additional summer funding for supplies and/or materials needed to conduct the research.
• A supplies order form will be provided upon acceptance to the program.
• Due to the end of fiscal year requirements, there may be a tight deadline for ordering, so PIs should be prepared to submit their requests in a timely manner.

How to Apply

• Students seeking internally funded positions must apply by the deadline.
• The application must be started by the student applicant, and they must complete their section by the deadline.
• The PI section should be completed within 5-7 business days of receipt, but no later than the deadline.

Application to Seek Internally Funded Positions

• Student Application:
  • Abstract: 100 words maximum
  • Full Project Description: 750 words maximum
  • References/Works Cited/Bibliography
• Primary Investigator Application:
  • Previous Office of Undergraduate Research funding received in the last 3 fiscal years
  • Recommendation letter
  • Additional summer obligations
  • Student's Weekly Schedule
  • Has this project been granted IRB or IACUC approval (if applicable)?
  • Anticipated long-term deliverables

Students with External Funding

• The Office of Undergraduate Research encourages students to seek external funding to conduct research over the summer.
• The application must be initiated by the student or student/faculty pair.
• For students receiving external funds, the OUR will provide a matching stipend for Primary Investigators (PIs) at the discretion of the Director of Undergraduate Research.

Accepted Student Professional Development Activities

• Students in the Summer Undergraduate Research Program will participate in in-person meetings with the other students in the program and staff from the Office of Undergraduate Research.
• The PIs should attend the first (orientation) and last (wrap-up) meetings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• When is the deadline for applications?
• What is the criteria for evaluating the applications?
• How many students will be accepted into this program?
• What are the start and end dates for the program?
• How can students get door access since they are not enrolled in classes?
• Why are faculty required to be eligible for the full amount of faculty funding ($4,000)?
• Why are students required to attend professional development activities during the summer?
• Why are faculty and students required to complete reports on their experiences?