SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM IN COMMUNITY BASED RESEARCH (SURF CBR)
The UW-Whitewater School of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education, in partnership with the Undergraduate Research Program; awards up to four Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships in Community Based Research (SURF-CBR) of $3,500 each to support community-based research in the state of Wisconsin. In addition, up to $500 funding for supplies, services and travel expenses may be available. Mentors of selected research fellows will receive a summer stipend of $2,500. Stipend amounts are taxed.
The SURF-CBR grants provide opportunities for students to develop research projects that apply their academic skills, experiences, and ideas to real world problems. All academic fields are eligible. These grants are designed to give students the time and resources needed for meaningful reflection and in-depth inquiry into a problem or issue in collaboration with a faculty mentor and community organization that addresses a documented public need. Community-based research is defined as "a partnership of students, faculty, and community members who collaboratively engage in research with the purpose of solving a pressing community problem or effecting social change." Successful proposals should therefore :
Video: How to Submit Proposal
For more details, please consult the FAQ section. For suggestions on how to compose a successful proposal, please consult this guide.
For additional content on Community-Based Learning and opportunities, please visit the following site by clicking HERE.
Note: This page provides information on the SURF CBR program. You may apply to both the SURF UWW and SURF CBR programs, but be aware that each program has different requirements, so be sure to adjust any application materials accordingly.
Birch and Aspen Scholarship
QUALIFICATIONS OF CANDIDATES
SELECTION OF CANDIDATES
EvaluateUR PROJECT
For more information, click here.
EvaluateUR is an assessment tool designed to evaulate learning outcomes of students participating in summer research. One of the primary goals of this assessment tool is to obtain a reliable assessment of the program's impact on participating students that goes beyond the student survey data that has so far been the principle source of impact findings reported in the literature. The project requires a series of students' self-reflection, mentors' assessment of the students' learning, and dialogues between the mentee-mentor pairs throughout Summer 2018. Those who are interested in participating in this project should indicate so on their SURF application. Each team who satisfactorily complete the evaulation project will receive an additional $500 in research budget.
If your research will entail or entails human or animal subjects, you must hold or obtain approval from the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP). Undergraduate Research Program award funds will not be disbursed to you until you provide the appropriate protocol number from ORSP to URP. If you do not have a protocol number assigned to your research and need to apply, please be aware that the approval process may last three to four weeks for finalization. This is especially important when planning travel arrangements.
In order to apply for the SURF Program, you will need to apply via our online submission process. The application link can be found near the bottom of this webpage. Please note that a complete application consists of:
The proposal should be as specific as you can make it as it will be read by the School of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education and the 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 or why it addresses important public concerns. The outline consists of the research design (what you propose to do, the methodology for the research, how you will analyze the results, etc.)
Your proposal should also address how, and if, this project will continue during the 2016-2017 school year and how it fits into your future career or post-graduate studies plans.
For further example guidelines on writing an excellent proposal, please consult at your discretion the 'SURF Proposal Writing Guidelines.'
Below we list a couple of examples of past SURF-CBR projects:
Applications will be reviewed by members of the Undergraduate Research Program. The review committee may ask select applicants to provide revised proposals before further evaluations are made. Up to 30 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 meets identified community needs. | 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 2015-2016 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, understanding of community based research principles). | 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 |
Please address any questions of proposal content to Seth Meisel, Associate Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education, meisels@uww.edu. If you have questions about grant troubleshooting, please contact the Undergraduate Research Program, urp@uww.edu.
Any interested SURF-CBR applicants are strongly encouraged to attend Information Session with Seth Meisel, which is scheduled for:
Feb. 21 at 3:30pm-4:30pm in McCutchan Hall 12
Technical questions on the grant application software? Grant technical workshop scheduled for:
Feb. 19 at 11am-3pm in McCutchan Hall 11B
Feb. 20 at 9am-10:30am in McCutchan Hall 11B
Mar. 6 at 9am-10:30am in McCutchan Hall 11B
Mar. 7 at 11am-3pm in McCutchan Hall 11B
SURF CBR Application
NOTE: Form Currently OPEN
CLOSED
Due March 9, 2018 @3pm