INFORMATION FOR CALTECH SURF APPLICANTS
What is SURF?:
Caltech's Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships program offers undergraduates the unique opportunity to carry out research projects under the guidance of Caltech faculty or Jet Propulsion Laboratory technical staff. Through SURF, which is modeled on the grant-seeking process, students write project proposals which are reviewed by a faculty committee, awards are made, and work is carried out over a ten week period, mid- June to late August. At the conclusion of the summer students submit a technical report and give an oral presentation on SURF Seminar Day, a symposium patterned after a professional technical meeting. As with any grant award, students receive a stipend. This summer's stipend will be $3,600.00.
A complete description of SURF can be found on page 24 of the Caltech catalog.
The Application Process:
Students must identify a sponsor, collaborate with the sponsor to develop and define the research project, and submit a proposal.
Identifying a Sponsor:
It is the responsibility of the student to identify a suitable sponsor. The sponsor must be a member of the Caltech Faculty or JPL Technical Staff.
The SURF Office does not match students with sponsors. In January, we post Announcements of Opportunity from faculty and JPL staff. These opportunities can also be accessed by the electronic network. You may also approach a faculty member with a project which you are developing; however, many research sponsors will not have research support for projects not directly related to their work.
It is possible to SURF at another university by identifying a sponsor at that institution and arranging for a Caltech faculty member to act as co-sponsor.
The Research Project:
The most important factor in selecting a project is your enthusiasm for the project itself and for working with the sponsor. Although most students seek projects in their majors, SURF provides an opportunity to explore other areas of research.
The Proposal:
Detailed instructions on how best to write your proposal are available by clicking here
Guidelines for SURF Proposals, or pick up a hard copy in the SURF Office.
Responsibilities:
Upon receiving a SURF award, students sign a contract and accept the following responsibilities:
- they agree to submit bi-weekly reports on their projects signed by their research sponsors
- submit an abstract of their progress
- submit a written technical report
- give an oral or poster presentation at SURF Seminar Day
Communications Workshops:
When students accept a SURF award, they agree to give an oral presentation of their work. A very important aspect of research is the ability to communicate what you are doing and why it is important. All students are strongly encouraged to participate in SURF's outstanding program in communications skills.
Stipend:
SURF students receive a $3600 stipend paid in bi-weekly installments. Federal withholding tax, FICA, and State Disability Insurance are deducted from each check.
Funding:
SURF stipends are funded from a variety of sources including the Institute; the Alumni Association; JPL; faculty grants; income from an endowment; individual donors; College Work Study; corporations and foundations. Research sponsors pay all research-related costs and provide space.
Each year many students are "named" to represent SURF to donors. These students are carefully chosen by matching their interests and activities to those of the donors.
We strongly encourage eligible students to apply for College Work Study. In the past we have been able to support additional students because of funds that were freed-up by CWS.
Criteria
Applications are reviewed and evaluated by the faculty sponsor and a SURF Administrative Committee member in the field. Applications will be judged on the basis of:
- The perceived merit of both the applicant and the proposed research.
- The sponsor's confidential evaluation.
- Written recommendations.
SURF encourages research sponsors to pay a portion of their student's stipend; however, it is not mandatory. Proposals are reviewed on their merit, not on the sponsor's ability to contribute funds.
Availability:
We expect to support up to 175 Caltech students this summer.
Eligibility
To be eligible for SURF, students must be continuing undergraduates and have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0. Students must complete the third quarter at Caltech (or another school under a program approved by a Dean). Students must be eligible for fall term registration as of the end of the June Undergraduate Academic Standards and Honors Committee (UASH) reinstatement meeting and must not be on medical leave or under disciplinary sanction.
SURF Activities
To enrich the research experience, SURF offers weekly seminars by Caltech faculty and JPL Technical Staff. The seminars are held from noon until 1:00 PM and lunch is provided; Roundtable discussions between students and leaders in academia, industry, the national laboratories, and government. Attendance is by invitation according to student interest. Approximately 12 students are invited to each Roundtable; a participatory discussion series on developing a research career; graduate school admissions, and other topics of interest to future researchers; and social and cultural activities coordinated with the Caltech Y.
Important Dates - SURF '96
- Application Deadline
March 1
- SURF's AwardedApril 1
- SURF Program Begins
June 17
- Summer Seminar Day
August 20
- SURF Ends
August 23
- Seminar Day
October 19
Awards will be made by the SURF Administrative Committee, and students will be notified by mail; letters will be sent April 1, 1996. PLEASE CONTACT THE SURF OFFICE IF YOU WANT AN APPLICATION.