Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program at UWW

The Undergraduate Research Program (URP) invites applications for ten-week mentored summer research.  Up to 15 fellowships will be awarded with stipends of $3,500.  In addition, up to $500 in funding for supplies, services and travel expenses.  Mentors of selected research fellows will receive a summer stipend of $2,500.

The most important factor in proposing a successful project is your enthusiasm for the project itself and for working with the mentor.  SURF is not 'just a summer job'; a project should have significant intellectual and creative content.  For more details, please consult the FAQ section.  For suggestions on how to compose a successful proposal, please consult this guide.

Eligibility

• UW-Whitewater Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors as of Fall 2013 who are enrolled full time through Spring 2014
• Students do not get course credit for their summer projects
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 in major and minor (exceptions may be made on a case by case basis; mentor’s letter must address the reason for an exemption)

Application Process

In order to apply for the SURF Program, you will need to apply via our online submission process.  Applications must be submitted at: http://www.surf.myreviewroom.com. Please note that a complete application consists of:

• A completed application form
• A copy of the student's Degree Progress Report
• Summer Research Fellowship Proposal (no more than 1200 words, or approximately 4 pages double-spaced)
• Timetable of project activities
• Proposed itemized budget for supplies, services, and travel with a justification of how you will spend these funds and why they are necessary on a separate page
• Two Confidential Letters of Recommendation
  
  • At least one Letter of Recommendation should be from the proposed UW-Whitewater faculty mentor. This letter should address their assessment of the student's project and ability to complete the project, the mentor's commitment to supervise this project, and the experience of the mentors in supervising student research and/or creative inquiry projects .
  • The other Letter of Recommendation can be from any instructor or employer who can address the scholarly merits of this project and the personal or academic background of the applicant.

The proposal should be as specific as you can make it as it will be read by URP Council members with some knowledge of your field.  It must outline what you plan to do, and why it addresses important research questions in your field. The outline consists of the research design (what you propose to do, the methodology for the research, how you will analyze the results, etc.) how the work fits with important questions in your field and how you will accomplish this during the summer (this last section should align with your proposed timetable of project activities).  Your proposal should also address how, and if, this project will continue during the 2013-2014 school year and how it fits into your future career or post-graduate studies plans For further guidelines on writing an excellent proposal, please consult the 'SURF Proposal Writing Guidelines.'

Summer Fellows Expectations

• Fellows will devote 10 weeks of full time effort (40 hours per week) to their project. If they hold any other employment or take any courses during the period of their fellowship they must submit a separate document by May 15th detailing their summer obligations and how they will fulfill the goals of their fellowship. This document must be approved by their project mentor and the director of URP.
• Fellows will prepare and maintain a research portfolio for the duration of the fellowship and submit it to the Undergraduate Research Program by Sept. 1, 2013.
• Fellows will complete an evaluation of their fellowship experience by early September, 2013.
• Students will also be expected to present the results of their research at Fall 2013 Undergraduate Research Day and Spring 2014 Undergraduate Research Day.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by members of the Undergraduate Research Program.  Up to 20 finalists will be invited to a 20-minute interview with the selection committee.  The selection committee will evaluate fellowship applications on the following criteria and will also consider representation of different disciplines among the supported summer fellowships:

Criteria	Number of Points
Applicant demonstrates that the project is feasible and has scholarly or creative merit.	20 points
Applicant demonstrates that they will acquire significant new skills or experiences as a result of this project.	15 points
Applicant presents a clear and compelling case for how the fellowship will allow them to continue their Undergraduate Research during the 2013-2014 academic school year and how this summer fellowship will contribute to their career or post-graduate study plans.	15 points
Applicant demonstrates that they can successfully complete the 10 week fellowship.	10 points
Applicant is prepared for the fellowship (coursework, experience, etc).	10 points
Letters of recommendation are strongly supportive of the applicant's merit for this fellowship.	10 points
Mentor letter demonstrates enthusiasm, appropriate experience and time commitment to supervise this project.	20 points

All application materials are due March 4, 2013.

Please address any questions to Catherine Chan, Director, Undergraduate Research Program, urp@uww.edu.