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About the Summer Undergraduate Research Program

The Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) is an opportunity for students to fully engage in a hands-on educational experience of scholarship, research, and creative activity with a faculty mentor.

Through the generosity of the Brockport Foundation, the University sponsors student work with faculty on the mentor’s research for up to eight weeks during the summer. (As part of the program, on-campus housing and a stipend for full or part time effort for up to eight weeks is available.)

To get started the student should identify a faculty mentor and ask if they can participate in their work, and if they are willing to act as a mentor. The mentor will discuss the project and how the student will participate. If a decision is made to move forward then an application is co-written; one part by the student and one part by the mentor. The mentor should help the student with writing the application. A committee of faculty reviews and ranks applications. Students are interviewed as a part of the application process. SURP fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis.

Student fellows and faculty mentors are required to attend the SURP orientation session. Students are encouraged to complete weekly reflective journals during research and if on-campus to present their research at a mid-summer luncheon, a Fall Poster Gallery, as well as Scholars Day in the following spring semester. A weekly workshop series focused on developing professional skills is also provided for students.

Projects

Check out our SURP Project page to learn more about research projects that are sponsored by the Summer Undergraduate Research Program.

Evelyn Patterson with a fragmented roof tile from SPU 7. Photo by Dr. Alex Smith.

Student Research

Evelyn Patterson ’24 received research funding from SURP that she used to travel to Spain to conduct archaeological fieldwork with Dr. Alexander Smith. 

Read Evelyn’s story

SURP 2025

Student Applications are due February 27, 2025.

Application Process:

  1. Student Application: This should be written by the student applicant in the student’s words, and should involve a collaboration effort between the student and faculty mentor.
  2. Mentor Recommendation: A link to this form will be emailed to a student’s identified faculty mentor once the student application is submitted. This should be written and submitted by the faculty mentor. Note: Mentor Recommendations are due February 28, 2025.
  3. Interview: Once your application has been submitted, you will be contacted to arrange for your interview. During this interview students will be asked about the project and the potential impact this experience will have on their future goals. 
  4. Orientation Meeting: Once selected for the program, student fellows and faculty mentors will attend a one-hour mandatory meeting scheduled before the semester ends. Important details will be shared at each meeting.

Questions: Contact Professor Adam Rich, Director of Undergraduate Research & Coordinator of Summer Research, arich@brockport.edu.

 

 

Research Fellowships

The SUNY Brockport Undergraduate Research Program is made possible by our donors:

  • Donald ’80 and Diana ’81 Hallenbeck Research Scholars Fund
  • Donald Nelson-Nasca Research Scholars Fund
  • George & Carol Bott Research Scholars Fund
  • James & Carol Haynes Research Scholars Fund
  • LoBracco Family Research Scholars Award
  • Morris Fellowships
  • NSF Award to Dr. Zachary Robinson
  • Ralph P. and Elizabeth S. Gennarino Research Awards
  • Richard V. Mancuso Undergraduate Research Award in Physics
  • Robinson Family Research Fund
  • Undergraduate Research Fellowships in Chemistry

Interested in Supporting SURP?

Donate to SURP Today

Designate your gift by selecting “Other” and writing “SURP” to ensure your contribution supports this program.

In much of society, research means to investigate something you do not know or understand … research is creating new knowledge.

Neil Armstrong