Fellowship Information

SURF (Scholars Undergraduate Research Fellowship)


The Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program is designed to allow undergraduate students to conduct in-depth research projects in their specific fields of study with the assistance of faculty mentors. To be eligible to apply for these funds, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.25, 30 or more hours of credit toward his/her degree at the time of funding, and the support of a faculty mentor. The student must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien.

Eligible Projects

All types of Undergraduate research are eligible for support, and all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply. In addition to the usual science, engineering and mathematics projects this program will support, for example, a philosophy major who is preparing a paper in the area of bioethics, or an art major who wants to sculpt a major project. Funds are provided for students to travel to conferences to present their accomplishments.

Required materials for application submission

  1. SURF cover page (signed by mentor and institutional official)
  2. Mentor form and mentor's vita (2 page maximum)
  3. Student form and student vita
  4. Current transcript and listing of current semester classes
  5. One page summary of proposed research
  6. Description of proposed research (maximum of 5 pages, doubled spaced)
  7. Budget and budget justification forms
  8. Letter of support from mentor
  9. Two letters of recommendation from faculty members
  10. Original application and one copy

Eligible Students:

Hours 30 or more hours of credit towards their degree at the time of funding
Minimum GPA

Cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher at time of application

Mentor Student must have faculty member agree to serve as mentor
Award

The amount of the fellowship awarded to each recipient shall be as follows:

$1,250 maximum award    Student Stipend*
$ 750 maximum award      Student Travel
$ 750 maximum award      Mentor Award
$1,250 maximum award    Institution Match
$4,000 Maximum SURF Award

*Student stipend- Spring only $ 625 maximum award
                                Spring & Summer $1,250 maximum award
                                Spring & Fall $1,250 maximum award
                                Spring, Summer & Fall $1,250 maximum award

Length One year. Students may compete for additional years, but no more than three years of funding for a student.
Period of Support January 1st - October 31st
Residency US. citizen or permanent residents.

 

Eligible Faculty Members

Tenured or full-time faculty members at all levels, including new faculty, are encouraged to apply. Temporary teachers, however, are not eligible. Mentor awards range up to $750.

Eligible Institution

All Arkansas public or private institutions of higher education offering two or more years of college study are eligible.

Institutions are strongly encouraged to provide or obtain some type of match to the grant. Sources which can be accessed, in addition to existing university funds, include the federal government, non-profit agencies, private corporations, individual citizens, etc.

Selection Process

All proposals will be reviewed by the Scholars Undergraduate Research Committee. This committee is appointed by the ACPA is presided over by the chairman of the committee. Additional reviewers will be used for certain proposals at the discretion of the committee.

Mahlon Martin Fellowship

In 1995 the SILO Advisory Council lost one of its most valued members, Mr. Mahlon Martin. Because of his lifetime work in the government, we will honor his memory by awarding fellowships for students majoring in public service field. These fields would include but not be limited to public administration, political science, sociology and social work. The Mahlon Martin Fellowship will require no institutional match, and will enable the student to be paid for additional research, as well as expanded travel budget. We encourage students with a diverse background to apply for the SURF program and the Mahlon Martin Fellowship.