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SURF fellowships are designed to assist promising undergraduate
students in conducting meaningful research in plant biology early in their
college careers. Ideally, students should conduct their SURF-funded research
the summer following their second year. Exceptionally well-prepared first-year
students and third-year students who provide evidence of a strong commitment
to plant biology will also be considered. Students must work with a mentor
who is an ASPB member. All students (including any following non-traditional
calendars or in the Southern Hemisphere) will complete their SURF research
for presentation at Plant Biology July 30-August 5, 2010 in Montréal,
Canada.
Funding - Each fellowship provides a $3,000 student stipend; $500
for mentor's lab supplies; a one year student membership in ASPB; and
a $500 travel allowance to attend the ASPB national meeting. The student
must be a co-author of an abstract registered at the conference to qualify
for the travel money. Students traveling overseas or who have very limited
travel resources may contact Katie Engen
to initiate a case for additional travel funds.
Eligible Students - Application is open to all undergraduate students
who are enrolled full-time and seeking a degree. International students
or students following non-traditional academic calendars will have the
opportunity to define their status on the application. Applicants must
propose a research project to be pursued in the laboratory of a faculty
mentor. Applicants may not receive other direct financial support for
their research (Institutional stipend, Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research,
Council on Undergraduate Research Fellowship, etc.).
Selection Criteria - Competitive student applicants should have
high academic achievement; strong motivation for research; skills for
conducting the research; and career objectives relevant to the aims of
the fellowship program.
Faculty Mentors - Students cannot apply without first securing
a mentor. A mentor must be a member of ASPB and have an ongoing research
program. Mentors should demonstrate a commitment to undergraduate education
and research and be conducting a research program that is of high scientific
merit. Mentors will actively guide the student's proposal writing and
so must be secured at the onset of the project.
Need a Mentor? Students without plant biology faculty at their
home institution may apply to SURF by collaborating with a mentor at
another institution. Such students are encouraged to seek a mentor by
checking ASPB's
Diversity Bank or reviewing the list
of institutions with plant biology programs. Further assistance
for finding a mentor can be initiated by contacting Katie
Engen. Contact Katie very early
in the process (prior to writing the proposal). A mentor cannot be found
at the deadline.
Proposal Evaluation - The proposed SURF project should clearly
support and enhance the goals of the mentor's ongoing research program;
be appropriately targeted for undergraduate work; and guarantee the student
regular access to appropriate research facilities. Preference is given
to proposals that demonstrate the mentor's close supervision along with
the institution's financial commitment to the work.
ASPB supports undergraduates at all types of institutions. Therefore,
the proposals are grouped according to the applicant's institution type
within the Carnegie classification scheme. Group A is for research and
doctoral universities. Group B is for all other colleges and universities.
The number of proposals awarded funding in each group will be weighted
according to the number of proposals received. The Carnegie Foundation
has updated their system to include more classification factors. Applicants
who cannot designate Group A or B can find their school's
category or select a category from the list of institutional
descriptions.
Applications - Students and their mentors can apply on-line.
SURF 2009 applications will be accepted December
12, 2008 -February 27, 2009.
Questions? Contact Katie Engen,
301-251-0560 x116.
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