Experience intensive scientific research through SURF 2020 programs

If students are interested in being a STEM researcher and want to receive intensive scientific research experience, the Rhode Island Consortium for Coastal Ecological Assessment Innovation & Modeling (RI C‑AIM) has an opportunity to do so with its 2020 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF).

Available to current freshmen, sophomores and juniors, undergraduate applications are being accepted for SURF through Feb. 7. The program will accept 35 students.

“Students gain hands-on training in laboratory and field research, as well as career development opportunities in topics such as effective data visualization and science communication,” said Shaun Kirby, communications and outreach coordinator for RI C-AIM.

RI C-AIM is Funded by a $19 million grant from the National Science Foundation and a $3.8 million state match. The consortium is a collaboration of engineers, scientists, designers and communicators from eight higher education institutions, including University of Rhode Island, Brown University and Salve Regina, who are committed to developing methods to assess and manage climate change on coastal ecosystems.

The 10-week SURF intensive will help undergraduate students develop professional relationships, gain experience, become familiarized with complex lab equipment and learn about career topics like applying to grad school. There is also an annual SURF conference and poster presentation that participating students are required to attend.

This year, there are two different ways to participate in SURF to make it accessible to a variety of student needs. SURF Full is an opportunity that requires 40 hours per week, and students receive a stipend up to $5,000 and $550 for research supplies. SURF Flex is 20 hours per week with a stipend of $2,500 and $275 for research supplies.

“SURF Flex is a new 20-hour per week option allowing students who cannot work full-time during the summer to still gain valuable research experiences,” said Kirby.

While the hours are less, SURF Flex students are expected to participate in all SURF programming, including the annual SURF conference and poster presentation. Both SURF Full and SURF Flex programs begin Tuesday, May 26. The annual conference will be held Friday, July 31.

After the initial SURF Full/SURF Flex experience, SURF+ is an ongoing opportunity that offers funding and professional development for undergraduates who wish to continue research with their summer mentor or contribute to an ongoing RI C-AIM project during the school year.

Deadline for application submissions is Friday, Feb. 7. To begin, interested students must download the 2020 SURF Project List and choose the projects in which they are most interested. They will then fill out the online application.

Students can find more information on the SURF programs here, and past stories highlighting Salve Regina’s students who’ve participated SURF can be found here. Contact RI C-AIM SURF Coordinator Jim Lemire at jlemire@rwu.edu for further questions.