Carnegie Mellon Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF)
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) program at Carnegie Mellon University offers undergraduate students the opportunity to engage in a full-time research project over the summer. The program is designed to provide students with hands-on research experience, allowing them to delve deeply into a topic of interest under the guidance of a faculty mentor. SURF is open to students from all academic disciplines at CMU, encouraging interdisciplinary research and innovation.
Participants in the SURF program conduct research in a variety of settings, depending on their field of study—this could include laboratories, studios, libraries, or fieldwork. The program emphasizes the development of research skills, critical thinking, and scholarly communication. Students are expected to produce significant research outcomes, which may include written reports, presentations, prototypes, or other forms of scholarly work.
The program culminates in a symposium where participants present their research findings to the CMU community, gaining valuable experience in scientific communication and public speaking. This forum provides an opportunity for students to share their work, receive feedback, and celebrate their achievements.
The SURF program provides a stipend to support students during their research, allowing them to focus fully on their projects without the need for outside employment. The fellowship is competitive, and selection is based on the quality of the research proposal, the student's academic record, and the potential impact of the research.
Eligibility Requirements
- are a CMU undergraduate student - including freshmen - in a degree-granting program;
- are going to be enrolled fulltime during the Fall semester after your fellowship; alumni are not eligible the summer following graduation;
- are in good academic standing at time of application and during the funding period;
- are in good standing at the university (not on academic or disciplinary probation or suspension);
- if you are on a leave of absence the semester in which you are applying for SURF, or are planning to be on leave during the semester after the grant, please contact our office;
- have not received SURF in the past;
- have a faculty member who will meet with you over the summer and oversee your progress;
- SURF is not intended to support research at other institutions outside of Pittsburgh or for study abroad. Any questions, please contact our office;
- will commit to consecutive participation in 8-10 weeks of full-time research in Pittsburgh between May 8th and August 13th, 2024.
- Students who need to take up to a week or two away from their SURF research during the summer for any reason may ONLY do so if 1) they have explicit approval from their research advisor, and 2) their time away does not conflict with the required Speak Up! research communication workshop series;
- will commit fulltime to the research position—SURF is in lieu of a job; students work regular hours and submit their time through their home departments.
For thorough eligibility and selection information, visit the official website or contact the organizers directly.