Program Overview

Introduction to the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program at the University of Houston provides funding for UH undergraduates to participate in a focused, full-time, 10-week research experience under the direction of UH faculty. Recipients will receive a $4,000 scholarship and three points toward the Honors in Co-Curricular Engagement transcript designation.

Eligibility

• Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, from all majors, with at least a 3.0 GPA are eligible to apply.
• If a student has less than 12 hours from UH, a 3.5 GPA is required.
• Students enrolled in any graduate or professional program are not eligible.
• The SURF program provides a $4,000 scholarship to students and a $300 reimbursement stipend to faculty for any expenses incurred in mentoring the SURF student.
• All full-time UH faculty are eligible to mentor a SURF student.

How to Apply

Students must complete an online application which includes:

• Statement of research objectives and goals (not to exceed 500 words)
• Information on your prior academic and research experiences
• Name of the UH faculty member who will serve as your faculty mentor Additionally, students are required to have their faculty mentor submit a letter of recommendation in support of their application.

Statement of Research

The statement of research should be:

• Composed in consultation with the applicant's faculty mentor
• Written in first person and in the applicant's own words
• Specific in stating the tasks to be accomplished during the semester
• Clear in defining the scope and goals of the proposed research, including the relative importance of the proposed research within its discipline
• Free of any errors in spelling, grammar, or syntax

Letter of Recommendation

The UH faculty mentor letter of recommendation should:

• Describe the student's qualifications
• Identify the area of research, creative, or scholarly activities in which the mentor will engage the student
• Describe the faculty member's role as a mentor to the student, including a description of how the proposed research relates to their ongoing research

Competitive Applicants

Competitive applications generally include:

• A demonstration of strong student academic record
• A research proposal with clear, realistic goals indicating the proposed project will lead to a substantive research experience for the student
• A descriptive and informative faculty letter of recommendation (1-2 pages in length) that specifically addresses the prospects for results in the projected time frame, the value of the research project, and the ability of the student to undertake the project

Expectations/Workload

• Full-time participation in a 10-week program
• Attend weekly summer webinars from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
• It is assumed that students will not take a summer course
• Complete online pre- and post-program surveys
• Present a research poster at Undergraduate Research Day
• SURF recipients' and faculty mentors' names and photos will be included in the annual Undergraduate Research Day booklet and in other online and print promotional materials

HCCE Points

SURF recipients will receive three points towards the Honors in Co-Curricular Engagement (HCCE) transcript designation. The HCCE transcript designation is awarded to students upon graduation who pursue a broad range of experiential learning opportunities from freshman to senior year. Students can pursue undergraduate research, internships, learning away and abroad, service learning, leadership experience and other academic enrichment opportunities.