Purdue University SURF Fellowship 2025 in the USA (up to $6,500)

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About Purdue University SURF Fellowship

This competitive, paid fellowship includes professional development workshops to enhance technical and communication skills. The program ends in a research symposium where students present their findings. Participants must also submit a final report to their project advisor and the Engineering Undergraduate Research Office (EURO).

• School: Purdue University

Benefits of Purdue University SURF Fellowship

The SURF Program offers the fellows with the following benefits:

• $6500 Stipend: Receive a generous stipend of $6500 paid bi-weekly for your dedicated participation in the 11-week immersive research program.

• Expert Mentorship: Gain access to seasoned faculty and graduate student mentors who offer valuable guidance, ensuring a supportive and enriching research experience.

• Professional Development Seminars: Attend specialized seminars designed to enhance your professional skills, providing insights into various aspects of academic and research careers.

• Symposium Presentation: Showcase your research findings by presenting at the prestigious SURF Symposium, offering a platform to share your work with peers, faculty, and professionals.

• Social Engagement: Enjoy a vibrant social community by participating in activities designed for bonding with fellow participants, fostering a sense of camaraderie and collaboration.

• Networking Opportunities: Engage in networking events, workshops, and seminars that connect you with professionals, researchers, and peers, expanding your professional network and creating lasting connections.

• Enhanced Communication Skills: Develop and refine your technical communication proficiency, a crucial skill for effectively conveying complex ideas, research findings, and insights in a professional context.

• $2500 housing allowance

  • ​All external students receive the housing allowance.

  • For Purdue students, they must apply by the priority deadline to be considered. If selected, they will be notified in their offer letter and the amount added to their bi-weekly compensation.

• Travel Reimbursement: External and Purdue-Indy students have access to a travel reimbursement of up to $1000. For external students, only those that apply by priority deadline will be considered for this subsidy. 

Purdue University SURF Fellowship Requirements

To be eligible for the SURF program, applicants must:

• Be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Purdue, another U.S. institution, or an international institution.
• Be a first-time participant in the Purdue SURF program, as students can engage in the program only once.
• Have completed at least one academic semester/quarter by the time of the SURF application.
• Maintain undergraduate enrollment for at least one academic semester/quarter following the conclusion of the SURF program.
• Be a rising junior or senior; Purdue-affiliated rising sophomores, including Purdue-Indy rising sophomores, are also eligible.
• Possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8/4.0 or equivalnet at the time of application.
• Demonstrate the ability to actively participate in the majority of program activities. Requests for alternate start dates, up to one week post-program commencement, can be accommodated with faculty permission.

Expectations and Program Guidelines

Throughout your participation in the SURF program, you can anticipate the following expectations and guidelines:

• Adherence to Student Code of Conduct: All SURF participants are expected to adhere to the Purdue University Student Code of Conduct, maintaining a standard of conduct conducive to a positive and collaborative research environment.
• Duration of the Program: The SURF experience spans 11 weeks of intensive research. Any requests for vacations or time off should be discussed with the faculty mentor in advance and are subject to approval at the faculty's discretion.
• Class Enrollment: SURF students are not permitted to enroll in classes while actively participating in the program. This allows for a focused and immersive research experience throughout the 11-week duration.

For more information on the structure of the program, please see the SURF program Policies and Requirements page. 

Selection Criteria

Students will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Eligibility
• Application information and academic record
• Qualifications for available research projects
• Successful match to a project
• Prior research experience is not required: this program is well suited for the first-time researcher

 

Application Date and Process

1. Complete the application form
2. Upload your resume.
3. Upload University transcript
   Upload a PDF of your university transcript directly to the application system. The transcript must include your name, program of study, past courses with grades, and current course enrollments.
4. Submit Statement of Purpose which answers the below prompt:
   Briefly describe to us what instances or experiences have led you to pursue your current field of study, and why you continue to pursue it. Mention any significant questions or problems in the field that you find particularly intriguing and that motivate you to delve deeper. If you are part of multiple fields, or at the intersection of them, feel free to comment on that. There are many programs that offer summer research opportunities, what attracted you to SURF and the resources it offers? Moreover, how would participation in SURF contribute toward the pursuit of your career goals? Please outline your long-term career aspirations within STEM. Explain how the research experience gained through the SURF program will contribute to your career goals. You may mention any specific skills, knowledge, or connections you hope to gain during this program that will be valuable in your future career. What have you done so far to explore the field of study you are interested in? This could include coursework, independent projects, internships, or participation in relevant clubs or organizations. Highlight any achievements or experiences that demonstrate your commitment and readiness for research. If you have encountered any obstacles or challenges in your pursuit of higher education or research, please discuss how you have addressed or overcome these obstacles. This could include seeking guidance from professors, taking additional courses, or refining your research question.
5. External Students Only
   External students are required to request a letter of recommendation from a Professor/Professional who you have worked closely with. The letter should be uploaded by the application deadline.
6. Explore potential research projects
   Talk to Purdue professors about your research interests and potential opportunities in their lab. Review the SURF list of research projects with undergraduate research positions. You can indicate your interest in these projects directly on the application by selecting up to three projects. Additional projects will be posted as they become available. Return to this list frequently to view new project postings but be aware that not every available SURF project will be posted here.

The student-project matching will continue through March, but all application documents must be received in the SURF office by the application deadline.

Application Deadline

15 January, 2025

Scholarship Application Portal

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