SURF Student Application

RI NSF EPSCoR is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion throughout all of our programming. Students of underrepresented groups pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) fields are strongly encouraged to apply.

The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, February 14, 2025.

View 2025 SURF projects

Name*

First Last

College/University*

Only students currently matriculating at a Rhode Island college or university are eligible to apply

Academic Email Address*

Please provide us with your school-based email address.

Are you applying for a SURF or SURF Flex position?*

SURF is a 40-hour per week commitment, while SURF Flex is 20 hours per week. Learn more about these SURF options.

SURF
SURF Flex

Anticipated Graduation Date*

Students must be pursuing an undergraduate degree at a Rhode Island college or university. Only current freshman, sophomores or juniors are eligible to apply for SURF or SURF Flex.

Current seniors are not eligible. Note: only the month and year are important here. A "guesstimate" for the day is fine.

Major(s)*

Please list your major(s). Separate each major with a comma.

Minor(s)

Please list your minor(s). Separate each minor with a comma.

Undergraduate Transcript(s) *

Please upload a PDF of your transcript(s). Please note that only PDFs will be accepted. Transcripts need not be official (e.g. you can scan or take a screen shot of your unofficial transcript, or otherwise convert a copy of your transcript to a PDF). If you have any problems uploading your transcript(s), please continue with the application and contact Jim Lemire at jlemire@rwu.edu.

Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, pdf, Max. file size: 100 MB, Max. files: 5.

Home Residence

Hometown, State*

City State

If selected, the SURF coordinator will try as best as possible to place you within a project of your choosing. In rare circumstances, this may not be possible, but SURF will work with you to find an alternative fit. See the 2025 SURF Project List to view and select research in which you are interested.

First Choice*

Write the Project ID (ex. 01) for your first choice project here.

Second Choice

Write the Project ID (ex. 02) for your second choice project here.

Third Choice

Write the Project ID (ex. 03) for your third choice project here.

Fellowship Application Questions

Please be sure that your answers to the following prompts are well thought out, thorough, and well written. The responses to these questions are an important part of your application.

Question 1*

What are your educational and professional goals, and how do you envision the SURF experience contributing to these goals? [700 word maximum]

Question 2*

Describe any previous research and/or other experiences that speak to your preparedness and qualifications to enter the SURF program [350 word maximum]

Question 3*

Briefly describe why you are interested in the projects you selected above. Include any experience/skills which qualify you specifically for these projects. [350 word maximum]

Question 4 [Optional]

Is there any additional information you feel the SURF selection committee should know while considering your application? [350 word maximum]

Letter of Recommendation

In addition to this online application, you are required to have one (1) letter of recommendation. Please provide the name and email address of your reference below. Once you submit the application, we will contact them with additional instructions for submitting recommendations.

Reference #1 Name*

First Last

Reference #1 Email*

Enter Email Confirm Email

Letter of Recommendation*

Your RI NSF EPSCoR SURF application will not be considered complete without one letter of recommendation. Although the individual above will receive information for submitting a recommendation, it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the letter is sent by Friday, February 21, 2025.

I understand that my application will NOT be considered complete without one (1) letter of recommendation

Permission to Share Application Materials with Mentors*

As an applicant for an RI SURF Fellowship, you agree to grant RI NSF EPSCoR permission to share your application materials (including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and application responses) with the mentors of the projects you selected above. Your contact information will NOT be shared with anyone outside of RI NSF EPSCoR personnel.

I understand that my application materials may be shared with selected project mentors.

Acknowledgement*

Please check the boxes above and enter your initials here to indicate that you have read and acknowledge the above statement.

Additional Information

Will you have access to a vehicle during the SURF program?*

Some projects may require traveling to off-campus locations, and there will be SURF-related events at various locations across the state. Having access to your own vehicle is NOT required, but knowing this will help us plan how to accommodate everyone. Use the "Other" option to indicate any situation not covered by the simple "Yes" or "No" options (e.g. you'll have access to a car for part of the program, but not the full 10 weeks)

Yes
No

How did you hear about the 2024 RI NSF EPSCoR SURF program?*

School email
Directly from a professor or other university sttaff
Social Media
Handshake
RI EPSCoR Newsletter
Word of mouth

Demographics Survey

Answering the following questions is optional. However, your participation in this survey will be useful for RI NSF EPSCoR's data collection and reporting requirements.

Race/ethnicity categories follow U.S. government reporting standards. More information about these categories can be found at the NSF reporting website.

Gender Identification

Please write "Prefer not to answer" if you do not wish to answer.

Race/Ethnicity [check all that apply]

American Indian or Alaskan Native
Asian
Black or African American
Hispanic or Latino
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
White (includes European, Middle Eastern, and North African descent)
Prefer not to answer

Tribal affiliation

If you selected "American Indian or Alaskan Native" above, please provide us with your specific tribal affiliation (or leave blank if you prefer not to answer)

Disability [check all that apply]

Visual impairment
Hearing Impairment
Mobility Impairment
Prefer not to answer

Other Impairment [please specify]

Are You A U.S. Veteran?

Yes
No
Prefer not to answer

Did at least one of your parents/guardians graduate from a 4-year college/university?

Yes
No
Prefer not to answer

RI NSF EPSCoR

Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research