Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF)
The SURF program, provides opportunities for University of New Haven undergraduates from any major to conduct in-depth research under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Participants gain experience in a range of areas including research design, budget planning, data collection and analysis, presentation skills, responsible conduct in research, while addressing challenges and enjoying successes. SURF students form a community of student researchers, learning from each other and faculty mentors, through program activities, seminars, and dissemination of research results.
Students receive a stipend, supply budget, and optional on-campus housing, if conducting on-campus lab research. In addition to being a valuable learning opportunity, SURF has a positive impact on academic endeavors in many areas, including opportunities to publish and present at conferences. SURF students have found their experiences often lead to other competitive fellowships, graduate school, and careers.
When launched in 2007 there were 14 participants accepted into the program for a ten-week on-campus experience. The program has grown in popularity with as many as 60 or more applicants competing for a limited number of spaces each year. Since 2015, participation in the SURF Program has been indicated on students’ Academic Transcripts as a non-credit course.
Now a virtual program, SURF offers students the option to conduct research virtually or in on-campus labs. Seminars are held virtually and include panel presentations by alumni as part of a growing network of former SURF fellows. More than 400 students have participated in SURF since its inception.
SURF is funded entirely through donations. The program wishes to acknowledge the generosity of donors who have supported SURF students with named fellowships, Frank and Patricia Carrubba and David and Shannon McHale. Click here to learn how you can support future SURF students.
SURF 2023
A 10-week research experience is planned for the 2023 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program. The David McHale Fund and the Carrubba Endowment will support a limited number of SURF 2023 faculty-mentored research projects that may be conducted in virtual, hybrid, or on-campus formats. To support fellows, SURF provides a virtual learning community for sharing expertise and research as well as required synchronous virtual seminars.
Students will not be required to be on-campus during the ten-week summer program. However, students who need to be on-campus to conduct lab projects may apply for housing for the period of their on-campus lab work. Students should plan on conducting pre and post lab work virtually.
Undergraduate students from all years (with the exception of seniors graduating before December 2023) are eligible to apply. Projects from all disciplines, including interdisciplinary projects are encouraged.
The program is highly competitive; a limited number of projects will be funded. Information about the application process, program requirements, a list of potential mentors, and resources for preparing a competitive proposal will be posted on the SURF page on https://mycharger.newhaven.edu/web/mycharger/surf-application-materials-and-forms
Current SURF Projects
Please visit the Current Projects page for a listing of the SURF 2023 fellows, their projects, and their mentors.
Previous SURF Projects
Please visit the Past Projects page for past projects and publicity.
Beyond SURF
For external funding opportunities and resources on preparing proposals for competitive funding opportunities, see the section on Resources.
SURF Newsletters
UG Student Research Newsletter Volume 1, April 2020
Email: SURF@newhaven.edu
Dr. Judy Randi, Director of Undergraduate Student Research
jrandi@newhaven.edu
Lynne Resnick, Coordinator, SURF
(203) 931-2990
lresnick@newhaven.edu
Carol Kane, SURF Timesheet Processing and Logistical Support
(203) 932-7204
ckane@newhaven.edu
View videos featuring SURF students and faculty here.